Thinking of buying a car with no title...., What do you do in California to get one? Options

[dfelz]

There is a guy in san luis obispo, CA selling a 914 he has sitting in his field. He got the car to build as a race car so he didnt care about not having a title with the car, but he is working on his 911 project instead so he is selling this roller. I dont have much more info on previous life of car but will try and get as much as he knows when i talk to him next.

There is a VIN number that he will be getting to me in the next day or so, and I will then contact the DMV and see if there are any records for the car or what the current status is on paper.

Does anyone know how to go about acquiring a title for the car??

Thanks for the help! Happy new years!

David

[SchantzMD]

Hi David,

I've been through this in CA more times than I'd like to admit and the process isn't bad, but there is a procedure that you have to go through.

First, do a VIN check to see if there is any history or back fees on the car, if it's been sitting for a while expect the DMV to show nothing, also note that if back fees are owed and the vehicle is about to be dropped from the system performing a VIN inquiry can reinstate the VIN. Next ask the owner what they know/how they got the car, if the story makes sense then don't worry about it, and if something sounds fishy then run the other way,...fast!
If the story and history check out print out a CA REG135 and take it with you when you pick up the car, be sure to print out a Statement of Facts and an Application for Registration from the CA DMV site too.
Finally don't expect to be able to do anything until the car is complete. In my experience, the DMV, AAA, CHP, or a 3rd party VIN verifier WILL NOT complete a VIN verification until the car is complete, which means that you cannot obtain a title until the vehicle is fully assembled. This could really bite you in the butt if there's a lien holder or theft record so you want to be 100% sure everything is Kosher before you put a $1 into the thing. Also enforcement agencies usually want to see 2 VIN plates on the vehicle along with the engine emission label so expect some questions if any of those are missing.
Overall the process isn't bad but you need to know what to have and what to say so you don't get hassled.

Good luck,
Mike

P.S. If the vehicle history shows a Salvage record then a Brake and Light inspection will be needed too, which will run about $50-$80.

[larryM]

X2 all below - it is actually fairly easy if the car is "out of the computer system"

in my last few sojourns on various makes resurrections I have never had a problem with 3rd party verifiers insisting on "completed" cars

- maybe CHP does, but i'd stay as far away from a CHP verification as possible cuz they will begin by assuming it is a stolen vehicle

there is at least one 3rd party verifier who does ALL THE WORK for you (from Nevada City) - Donna Leak - she is a former DMV person who will do everything you need to get a Title & Plates

- she advertises in various car publications - buy a copy of Cruisin' News to see her ad - cost me $300 plus DMV fees to have her do a '67 Sprite for me last year

I also have used a retired CHP verifier from Placerville - never any problem with the verification, but more of that "stolen car" suspicious mindset

if you are talking about resurrecting a car that is still "in the DMV computer" - you will have to pay all the back fees & penalties - but no Brake-Lamp-SMOG - i did that with a '75 911 not long ago

on a salvaged-title car you will have to do the Brake & Lamp (& SMOG if newer than '75 ) - in which case "completed" is a true factor since the Brake check requires the car to be driven

Hi David,

I've been through this in CA more times than I'd like to admit and the process isn't bad, but there is a procedure that you have to go through.

First, do a VIN check to see if there is any history or back fees on the car, if it's been sitting for a while expect the DMV to show nothing, also note that if back fees are owed and the vehicle is about to be dropped from the system performing a VIN inquiry can reinstate the VIN. Next ask the owner what they know/how they got the car, if the story makes sense then don't worry about it, and if something sounds fishy then run the other way,...fast!
If the story and history check out print out a CA REG135 and take it with you when you pick up the car, be sure to print out a Statement of Facts and an Application for Registration from the CA DMV site too.
Finally don't expect to be able to do anything until the car is complete. In my experience, the DMV, AAA, CHP, or a 3rd party VIN verifier WILL NOT complete a VIN verification until the car is complete, which means that you cannot obtain a title until the vehicle is fully assembled. This could really bite you in the butt if there's a lien holder or theft record so you want to be 100% sure everything is Kosher before you put a $1 into the thing. Also enforcement agencies usually want to see 2 VIN plates on the vehicle along with the engine emission label so expect some questions if any of those are missing.
Overall the process isn't bad but you need to know what to have and what to say so you don't get hassled.

Good luck,
Mike

P.S. If the vehicle history shows a Salvage record then a Brake and Light inspection will be needed too, which will run about $50-$80.