Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean?
I am looking at picking up a 72 in the states with "no title" out of ohio. Can someone tell me exactly what this means? I live in Canada, so can I ever register this car, or do I have to buy another car with a VIN to be able to register it ... or maybe even a new birdcage to get the title? I would like to take it and slowly restore the car, possible getting a new frame for it, etc. If I can never drive it on the street, I won't waste my time. Thanks!
Location: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (redvetracr)
You won't even get it accross the border let along register it in Canada.
It soounds like the one I passed up back in March. US customs requires a title (VIN Number) to do a search on. No title consider it stolen.
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (dukvet76)
i live in ohio if you dont have title you go to title burea pay 5 bucks for lost title but it must be your car title to you with proof of who you are
they will give you replacment title on the spot
Location: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (kbk212)
Quote:
i live in ohio if you dont have title you go to title burea pay 5 bucks for lost title but it must be your car title to you with proof of who you are
they will give you replacment title on the spot
That only works if the car has a VIN. the car I was looking at the guy took the title and the VIN tag, therefore consider it stolen.
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (dukvet76)
Well, some states don't require a title on vehicles beyond a certain age. My car came from RI and all I got with it was a registration card. Actually, the registration card had a typo on the VIN too. Took three months of phone calls and mailing back and forth to get a NJ registration and title. Good thing I wasn't in a rush. :sleep:
I have no idea what it would be like to try to get a vehicle into Canada without a title. But just make sure you do your homework and call around to find out what the laws are and what you'll have to do. Good luck.
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (80Xflags)
US Customs requires a title (original registration) three days before a car enters Canada. That is then linked/transferred to Canada Customs and Transport Canada. Canada Customs demands the 7% Goods and Services Tax (GST) paid on the spot based on a valid bill of sale. Eventually it can be titled in Ontario after a safety check. And payment of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) based on Transport Canada "Vehicle Import Form - Form 1" that is based on the bill of sale approved by US and Canada Customs. Don't get into this unless you know what you are doing!
If a salvage vehicle, see my MOT link above. Little hope of ever driving it in Ontario.
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (dukvet76)
In Illinois you can apply for a re-title, but it's not easy. First you must pay a deposit equal to the value of the vehicle and fill out the title application. Then after one year if no one else lays claim to the vehicle you get your deposit back and the title. In your case though, no vin tag =stolen car. You would need the original vin tag to apply for a title. Maybe you could ship the car in pieces and build something else with the parts that has a clear title.
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (dukvet76)
I would not pay dime ONE for the car until you made sure it was not stolen. One of the biggest RED FLAGS when buying a car is 'no title'. Why was the car never re-titled by the present owner if they had the title at one time? If they never had the title, why did they BUY it? You could end up paying for the car, then having it taken away from you when someone with the actual title shows up....The law would still consider it the property of the title holder without proper transfer of title.
I'd hate to think of you buying something as sweet as a Vette just to have it taken away...
Again, be CAREFUL!
If this one doesn't work out, I hope you find another one available with a good, clean title.
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (JB)
JB, I was curious to see what Topless had say about that, glad to see you caught on too. :D :lol:
Food for thought guys, there was a forum member a while back who had the original VIN tag, but the repair shop where the car had sat for years that he bought it from got the title reinstated (completely legal) and then sold it too him. The original owner (who could not be found as long as the repair shop had the car) surfaced and went to court to get his car back, AND WON!!! If the courts will let this kind of foolishness happen I am afraid you won't have much luck ever making that car "Yours".
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (dukvet76)
Here's the reply I received from the owner:
Quote:
The car has no paper title, it does have the paper vin on the door, but I am not sure of the metal plate on the dash, I will have to look. I acquired the car from a friend to complete another car that I was buying, but the deal fell through. I will have to take a few more of the interior this weekend, and will send them to you.
Please keep in mind that it has been out in the weather for a while.
I'll have to see if the VIN is still intact. Is there a way of someone getting information for me on the vehicle if I can get the VIN from him? Thx
Re: Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean? (dukvet76)
I'd say tell the guy to file for a lost title (maybe $20 and 1/2hr of time) and then you'll buy the car. A buddy of mine just bought an old bike without a title up here in MI and he had know problem, just needed to get it inspected by a police officer and he had it on the road in days. But that's if you were going to get it onthe road.
Buying a car in the US with NO TITLE ... what's it mean?
