Title problems!!

[drenthe]

The title to the car I bought can't be located and the DMV can find no record of the registered owner. I have been told by the seller that he is doing his best to get to the bottom of this. I hope by trusting the seller I did not buy a parts car. I have not given up yet and hope all we be taken care of. Has anyone had a problem locating a title or have any ideas, I was thinking if I could even get a salvage title. The car is not going to be restored to original, just want to enjoy it for myself. Hope everyone is well, the weather is starting to get nicer and hope to get this resolved soon. Been kinda of in the dumps about this for the last few weeks.

Drenthe/Steve

[pooldoctorstl]

Sorry to hear about your problem, but BUYER BEWARE! I don't know what state you are in but the seller should have either had a title or obtained a duplicate if he was really the owner. I am in Missouri and we can get a "quick title" duplicate in 2 days. If the state doesn't have a record of it, you could be screwed.

Did he have it licensed? This sounds fishy. One thing you could do is contact law inforcement and have them run the VIN. The risk there is that you might find out it is hot and lose the car. I think anything without a title is a parts car.

Good luck,
Jeff

[NJFIAT1981]

The previous owner may have purchased it from someone in another state. Then never titled or registered it in your current state. Ask him where he got it from. Maybe a carfax? At least it will tell you what state it was last registered in. Good luck

[PENNEYTOM]

What state are you in? If CA, they'll direct you to the CHP who will do a secondary VIN check, and if no DOJ stop (stolen car= you lose the car ), they will issue a either a new VIN or documentation so you can get the car titled and registered. Despite popular belief, stolen car records are not removed after 7 years, they stay permanent. It should not be difficult to ascertain the status and have it titled. If it is not stolen and you have a bill of sale you should be okay. I

Tom

[mdrburchette]

NC is similar to CA. I have a 70 spider in my garage with no title. I need to get it road worthy and the DMV will send a state trooper to my house to check it out after I fill out paperwork. If it and the paperwork checks out okay, they'll issue a new title.

[drenthe]

Thanks for all the help, those are some good ideas that I will follow up on. I live in SC and the car may have come from NC, the car had switched hands so many time without doing the paper work. The last guy to have it is a retired auto shop school teacher and I think he is doing everything he can. Thanks again, Drenthe

[azygoustoyou]

This is something. Did the guy specify there was an issue with the title in the beginning? Good luck with your title search.

[spiderrey]

If the dmv has no records, car is off the books. Just show up with a bill of sale signed by bill smith stating all paperwork has been lost and that you bought the car for 100.00 and you should be good to go. its been done.

[drenthe]

Good news! DMV has located a registered owner and a certified letter will be send and we should be on our way. Thanks again for all the help. Look forward to meeting some of the fine people in this group at the Fiat freak out in North Carolina this July.

Drenthe

[mdrburchette]

That's awesome news! We'll be waiting in Asheville with bells and whistles.

[drenthe]

Thanks! Love you too.