just wondering, especially if the car is out of state....I live in Kentucky by the way. I see cars at auction that don't have titles and I was curious if there was a way to get one.
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Oct. 1, 2011 9:59 p.m. plance1 Dork
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Oct. 1, 2011 10:41 p.m. JThw8 SuperDork
Most states have some sort of guidelines for this, call your DMV and ask.
Alternatively you can use one of the title services like Broadway or ITS and get a title that way.
I found that in NJ the state "correct" way of doing thing is actually cheaper and easier than going through one of the title services.
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Oct. 2, 2011 8:44 a.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork
in MI, if the car is below a certain value, you get a state police officer to inspect the vin and sign a form that you take to the secretary of state, and they issue you a clean title. i guess they run the vin through the stolen car database. anyway, that's how i got a title for my '61 corvair wagon that I bought from CO on a bill of sale.
i'm sure the auction house can tell you the procedure for your state. i'd start by calling their office.
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Oct. 2, 2011 9:00 a.m. stuart in mn SuperDork
The best and easiest thing is to not buy a car without paperwork, but there are ways in most states to get a new title. And, as mentioned they are often easier and less expensive than going through a title service. Also note that some states (I know MInnesota is one) take a dim view of cars that come through the title service companies, since they are sometimes used for laundering stolen cars.
SEMA has a webpage that shows title requirements for all 50 states, there's some good information there: http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62843
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Oct. 2, 2011 12:05 p.m. Aeromoto New Reader
Save yourself a ton of heartache and use BroadwayTitle. Their fee is a few hundered bucks, but in the end it's worth it and I would argue even cheaper than doing it yourself by the time you add in your own personal time, worry, and hassle.
I've used them many times with no problems.
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Oct. 2, 2011 12:07 p.m. que45 New Reader
If you know a person with a body shop or automotive repair shop. They can get them with storage liens. Make sure the vehicle does not have a certificate of destruction or has been declared non-repairable
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Oct. 2, 2011 12:15 p.m. fast_eddie_72 Dork
A title service does work. For an older car it's like $400, so factor that into the purchase price. I used this place.
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Oct. 2, 2011 12:34 p.m. JThw8 SuperDork
Take Stuart's advice on this and ask around to see how your state feels about titles from the title services. I know NJ won't take them unless its a service that is actually going through the NJ state process which is a) rare and be charging you $400-$600 for something you can do yourself for $120 and about 3 hours worth of work (max)
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Oct. 2, 2011 2:00 p.m. plance1 Dork
This is really helpful, thanks! I'm thinking about bidding on some cars at an auction but they don't have titles.
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Oct. 3, 2011 6:47 a.m. Klayfish HalfDork
I've said it before and I'll say it again...stay away from title services. What they do may or may not be legal. Pretty decent chance you'll be fine. But if/when they get busted, you don't want to get caught up in it...
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Oct. 3, 2011 7:28 a.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork
I don't remember about KY but in AL, past a certain year you don't need a title just a Bill of Sale. I would go to the DMV and ask.
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Oct. 3, 2011 10:38 a.m. admc58 Reader
Alabama = No title required on cars older than 1974. They are also very easy to title "Home built's" with.
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Oct. 3, 2011 12:51 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork
admc58 wrote:
Alabama = No title required on cars older than 1974. They are also very easy to title "Home built's" with.
Do you know if that includes pre-'74 motorbikes?
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Oct. 3, 2011 12:53 p.m. stuart in mn SuperDork
93EXCivic wrote:
Do you know if that includes pre-'74 motorbikes?
You should be able to look it up using the links from this earlier post.
stuart in mn wrote:
SEMA has a webpage that shows title requirements for all 50 states, there's some good information there: http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62843
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Oct. 3, 2011 12:54 p.m. alfadriver SuperDork
admc58 wrote:
Alabama = No title required on cars older than 1974. They are also very easy to title "Home built's" with.
After picking up a non-title car from Georgia, they have similar rules. Or had, more correctly.
just call the DMV. they may be goberment, but all the people I've called have been quite helpful. Could be as easy as a cop stopping by to confirm the S/N of the car, and doing the paperwork. And could go as long as a defined period of hold while they check ownership records.
Your state should have a website describing it, too.
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Oct. 3, 2011 1:04 p.m. iceracer SuperDork
Many older cars never had titles. The registration or a bill of sale were proof of ownership
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Oct. 3, 2011 1:04 p.m. 93EXCivic SuperDork
In reply to stuart in mn:
Ok cool. It looks like pre-'75 bikes don't need a title.
