Buying cars without titles

[Shaun @ Tru6]

There are tons of gems on FBMP that don't have a title. If I lived in VT or NH, it wouldn't be a problem. I have heard of services that can get a title. Anyone have experience with something like this?

Today's find '66 Landcruiser

[Arizona_928]

I’ve done it. Just some paperwork. Usually not contested as the owner will have to pay storage fees, ect.

[blucille]

many states have transferrable registrations for old cars, no titles, so that might simplify things.

Years and years ago, beyond the statute of limitations, I had a car I built from a pile of rubbish, no title. I contacted a guy in Vermont, sold him the car (sort of) and he sold it back to me with a title.

[Tobra]

Triple A offers a lot of DMV services

[Tishabet]

I have been down this road before. Check with your individual state as there is a ton of difference from state to state about how to do this "the right way."

First option is to "wash" via a state that doesn't title older vehicles (Vermont being a likely candidate), these states don't issue a title for vehicles over X years old so if you buy it from someone in one of those states (they would need a registration but again they don't need a title to get one) your local DMV will be OK with you showing up with registration and sans title and will issue you one. This is not as easy as it sounds and generally people are onto this, same as "washing" a salvage title by passing it through a state where branded titles aren't a thing.

Second option (but not really) is to buy a title and VIN and use them for this vehicle. It may be tempting but don't do this. If you are in an accident and your insurer is able to demonstrate that the VIN they have insured is not the genuine VIN of the vehicle you were operating you are hosed. Likewise you put yourself in a compromising position if you ever try to sell. Last but not least if the police find out they are going to take your vehicle and, if they can show you affixed the VIN, they are charging you with a felony.

In my own situation, I was buying a vehicle originally sold in Sweden which had been imported to the USA for parts and never registered or titled (likely imported when it was less than the magic 25 years old). The right approach for me and my situation (but again this is influenced by state rules) was to follow an "ownership in dispute" process which a lot of states have for these kind of situations or for situations where you bought property and discovered an abandoned vehicle on the property, stuff like that. Basically what I needed was a bill of sale and posession of the vehicle, then I presented both to the state patrol who verified/documented the VIN of the vehicle as well as all other relevant factory stamps and labels via around 30 minutes of them climbing around/under and through the vehicle at their inspection facility. They then verified (both federally and via interpol) that the vehicle had never been reported stolen, no liens, etc. At that point they issued me a "ownership in dispute" title, if there had been any record of the vehicle in any federal system or state DMV they would additionally send registered mail to anyone on record asking them if they had any claim to the vehicle but in my case no records came up. The "ownership in dispute" title meant I had a title and plates and then had to wait out a 3 year dispute period, basically a grace period where state patrol waits to see if anyone makes claim to the vehicle. Once the 3 years passed I was issued a new clean title and that was that.

[WPOZZZ]

Didn't VT get rid of that loophole?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by blucille

many states have transferrable registrations for old cars, no titles, so that might simplify things.

Years and years ago, beyond the statute of limitations, I had a car I built from a pile of rubbish, no title. I contacted a guy in Vermont, sold him the car (sort of) and he sold it back to me with a title.

That's what I did for my 73T L, used registration and bill of sale. One of my best car buying stories.

I have a friend who lives in VT but I wouldn't want to involve her in case something goes awry.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

I have been down this road before. Check with your individual state as there is a ton of difference from state to state about how to do this "the right way."

First option is to "wash" via a state that doesn't title older vehicles (Vermont being a likely candidate), these states don't issue a title for vehicles over X years old so if you buy it from someone in one of those states (they would need a registration but again they don't need a title to get one) your local DMV will be OK with you showing up with registration and sans title and will issue you one. This is not as easy as it sounds and generally people are onto this, same as "washing" a salvage title by passing it through a state where branded titles aren't a thing.

Second option (but not really) is to buy a title and VIN and use them for this vehicle. It may be tempting but don't do this. If you are in an accident and your insurer is able to demonstrate that the VIN they have insured is not the genuine VIN of the vehicle you were operating you are hosed. Likewise you put yourself in a compromising position if you ever try to sell. Last but not least if the police find out they are going to take your vehicle and, if they can show you affixed the VIN, they are charging you with a felony.

In my own situation, I was buying a vehicle originally sold in Sweden which had been imported to the USA for parts and never registered or titled (likely imported when it was less than the magic 25 years old). The right approach for me and my situation (but again this is influenced by state rules) was to follow an "ownership in dispute" process which a lot of states have for these kind of situations or for situations where you bought property and discovered an abandoned vehicle on the property, stuff like that. Basically what I needed was a bill of sale and posession of the vehicle, then I presented both to the state patrol who verified/documented the VIN of the vehicle as well as all other relevant factory stamps and labels via around 30 minutes of them climbing around/under and through the vehicle at their inspection facility. They then verified (both federally and via interpol) that the vehicle had never been reported stolen, no liens, etc. At that point they issued me a "ownership in dispute" title, if there had been any record of the vehicle in any federal system or state DMV they would additionally send registered mail to anyone on record asking them if they had any claim to the vehicle but in my case no records came up. The "ownership in dispute" title meant I had a title and plates and then had to wait out a 3 year dispute period, basically a grace period where state patrol waits to see if anyone makes claim to the vehicle. Once the 3 years passed I was issued a new clean title and that was that.

Thanks Grant, I had heard about taking the car to the state police but didn't know about the 3 year period which is a bridge too far for me.

I gave up on 2 MK1 Sciroccos last summer telling the guy over and over I would pay him for his time to get both cars registered. It was one thing after another with him and I am pretty sure he was high every time I talked with him so just gave up.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Didn't VT get rid of that loophole?

Thats what I heard. Another state has made it somewhat easy but I dont remember which state.

[greglepore]

Maine doesn't require titles for vehicles 25 yrs old or older. The other Maine "loophole" is trailers-you can register a trailer in Maine through an agency. Why do that? Here in Va we have personal property tax on trailers. On a fancy horse trailer with living quarters that retails for 60-100k that can be several thou a year. So lots of trailers in Va are registered in Maine. If your neighbor reports you its a world of hurt, but lots of folks (not me) do it. Also, no trailer inspections in Maine. You'd be shocked at the number of logging trucks running around Va with Va plates on the tractor and Maine plates on the trailer.

[MBAtarga]

State of GA requirements:
For vehicles manufactured before 1986, you do not need a certificate of title, but you must provide a Bill of Sale completed by the seller in order to transfer ownership and register the car in your name. You will need to bring the Bill of Sale, along with a Form T-22B Certification of Inspection completed by law enforcement, to your local County Tag Office.

[Baz]

Going to vary state to state, as mentioned.

I went through this recently with 2 of my bikes.

3 documents were required:

1. Vin verification - performed by local law enforcement/civic officer

2. Hold Harmless document to be filled out by seller, along with copy of their ID (DL suffices)

3. Buyer fills out a form

Both cases went fine.......because both buyers helped me out with that Hold Harmless document I needed.

The other 2 documents were easy to process.

The 2 bikes I got titled and registered:

[HobieMarty]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

State of GA requirements:
For vehicles manufactured before 1986, you do not need a certificate of title, but you must provide a Bill of Sale completed by the seller in order to transfer ownership and register the car in your name. You will need to bring the Bill of Sale, along with a Form T-22B Certification of Inspection completed by law enforcement, to your local County Tag Office.

Alabama is pretty much the same. I have my grandfather's 1968 Dodge D100 truck. It is a one (family) owner, he bought it brand new and has always been in the family. It doesn't require a title. When it was passed on to me, I had a bill of sale stating it was "gifted" to me.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk