Please edumacate me on Cali/WA 3 year titles

Joeaksa · 09:20 PM

Ok, am looking at a car to buy in WA state. It looks fair but is a fairly rare car so not easy to find. We get to talking about everything and the seller, who is really nice, goes out of his way to make sure that I know that its a "Washington or California 3 year title"... something I have never heard about.

From what I can find on the internet its given when the original owner is no-where to be found and the car is sold on a bill of sale sort of thing. This gent says that he has about 1.3 years to go before the title is released. Something like if the original owner or person on the original title does not show up or say anything in 3 years, the car is yours free and clear.

He has given me the VIN and I have tried to do a search for it but no luck so far. Problem is that its a 1979 model car and the VIN is not 17 numbers like the modern cars, so it gives me an error with every site I have tried.

Anyone else ever heard of this and know of any options. Was wanting to buy it and register it in Arizona...

Thx, Joe

Nostril Cheese · 05-17-2014, 09:27 PM

I bought a 70's motorcycle in WA and had a similar problem. I called the closest DMV to here (Vancouver) and they were very helpful when I called. Problem is just getting someone on the phone. Took me a couple times.. If it isnt too far from Portland, I'd be happy to look over the car for you..

LakeCleElum · 09:30 PM

Joe - Yes, kinda true....I have this on one of my Motorcycles I bought in Idaho w/o a title....The deal is:

If 1.3 yrs to go, the seller probably went thru an inspection with the Wa. State Patrol. They gave him/her a form and he/she got a "Registration", but no title......After 3 years, that person could get a title if no one comes forward to claim the Vehicle.......During that 3 years, that 'Registered owner" could sell the Vehicle IF: In front of a Notary, that owner discloses the fact that is a "Registered Only Vehicle".........

You could be comfortable with this process if you got the "VIN" and called any WA state DMV to have them confirm that Status.......Dunno if AZ would issue a title right away or make you wait the 1.7 yrs to receive the WA title? .........

Hope this helps U.......

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Keep it at a buddy's place for the next 1.7 yrs?

Arizona_928 · 05-17-2014, 10:32 PM

I think it's the same as an abandoned title for here in Arizona. Might be easier to go that route when it makes it to the state?

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

They send a notice to the last known address of the "owner"

No reply, yours.

rjp

stomachmonkey · 05-18-2014, 06:51 AM

Put the money in escrow for the next 1.3 years.

Pay him a couple of bucks extra as incentive.

Joeaksa · 05-18-2014, 09:31 AM

NC, going to give that a try but have to wait until Monday when the offices open. Thanks very much for the offer but its in Seattle area so a ways away for you. Sure would be nice to have someone lay hands/eyes on it in person thought...

Bob, thanks and that partially clears things up! Just need to find out more about what happened in the process and where I guess.

Noah, I have a place to keep it but dammit am buying one to drive it, not store it!

Levi, hoping so as I have a friend at a private DMV office who would help but need to find out if its legal first.

Randy, believe that they have done that and 1.7 years later no reply. WA state says you need to wait 3 years so the current owner is waiting... but already has 4 cars and needs to get rid of one.

SM, he almost agreed to drive the car down for me, so if we can get square on the title want to make this happen... is a really nice guy and wanted to make sure that its sold to someone who would restore the car and not just hot rod it.

Thanks everyone... keep the ideas coming...

Joe

Noah930 · Noah930's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Noah, I have a place to keep it but dammit am buying one to drive it, not store it!

I know. But if the original owner comes calling in a year-and-a-half, you can tell him you don't have possession of the vehicle so can't return it.

j/k I know you're an honest guy and wouldn't pull such shenanigans. But it's a potential dilemma: What happens if the original owner (who lost it through some illegal activity, for sake of argument) comes looking for his property within 3 years (and a couple owners) down the road? Who gets left holding the bag? You? The guy who sold it to you?

dad911 · 05-18-2014, 10:58 AM

It would be an interesting scam between two friends.... one sells the car, and knows where it is, and the buddy appears out of the woodwork in a month, takes it back.

I wouldn't touch it without a clear title. Offer him $100/month lease, full lease payments apply to purchase price if the owner never shows....

How did the car get in his possession?

Joeaksa · 05-18-2014, 10:58 AM

Good point and see what you are getting to. Only way I would do it is if I could get a free and clear title.

Besides, none of the large ticket items in my life are owned by me. Its all in a private trust. More insulated than usual but still worth thinking about.

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

If it's rare and you can get it out of state, why not? You hold it and never disclose where it's at.

A bill of sale, ID preferably with transaction conducted at the local DMV and it should be OK...

Joeaksa · 05-18-2014, 06:10 PM

Randy, its not that rare, just not that many of them left.

Ok will let the cat out of the bag... its a vintage Volvo 242GT. They only made them for 3 years and I had one of the very first ones. Loved the car, just a great driver but then with rally suspension, Bilsteins and a home-made turbocharger it was a joy to drive.

Its been 35 years now and just got a hankering to have one again... and there simply are not that many of them out there now.

Am calling my DMV tomorrow and have an email request to a private DMV office in Cali right now.

Joe

RANDY P · RANDY P's Garage

Where in WA is it?

Joeaksa · 05-18-2014, 06:20 PM

Am told the Seattle area. Anyone have any friends up there?

Joeaksa · 05-19-2014, 07:17 AM

Just off of the phone with the AZ DMV.

They require you to have a bonded title, and that means that they want the previous owner to be contacted or if they are totally out of touch to provide a bond that covers the car. Takes about 3 months and they give you a 3 month temp license plate so you can drive in the mean time.

Still not sure if the DMV or you are the one who has to contact the previous owners.... working on that.

Oh and the current owner did get the car inspected in WA state and has a title that he can sign over but still has the 1.3 year restriction on it.

Looking better but not out of the woods yet...

Joeaksa · 05-19-2014, 07:24 AM

Next question... anyone ever shipped a car from Hawaii to the mainland? Hassles and cost?

Laneco · 05-19-2014, 08:00 AM

Joe,

As you have a family trust, you might investigate the trust putting a lien on the car. That way if the prior owner does show up, they can have the car, but need to satisfy the lien. So in a round-about-way, you would wind up getting your purchase back.

The ability to do this varies from state to state (and I am certainly NOT an expert in this) but we have successfully done this in Oregon with a car that was lost title, last titled in California.

Just an idea from someone who did not sleep in a Motel 6 last night nor has she finished her morning cup of coffee.

anglea

LakeCleElum · 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Oh and the current owner did get the car inspected in WA state and has a title that he can sign over but still has the 1.3 year restriction on it.

Looking better but not out of the woods yet...

Joe - Just to protect you and since I just went thru this a few months ago:

1) The inspection by the WA State Patrol does include a search to make sure the veh. is not reported stolen in any state. The search attempts to determine the last legal owner. You only get the 3 year registration if they cannot locate any record.

2) Be sure AZ understand your lingo. The WA owner has a "Registration that can be singed over"....He/she won't have a title for 3 years....

Not being picky, just don't want you getting bad info from AZ DMV...

dad911 · 05-19-2014, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RANDY P

If it's rare and you can get it out of state, why not? You hold it and never disclose where it's at.

A bill of sale, ID preferably with transaction conducted at the local DMV and it should be OK...

You wouldn't consider hiding a car from it's previous (and perhaps legal) owner a crime?

Why not just chop it up and sell the parts before the rightful owner finds it?