Lost Title Options

[cal914]

After 2 and a bit weeks the Title for my car still hasn't turned up i'm thinking now its lost in the post,i phoned the previous owner who i bought the car from a little while back to see if he could apply for a lost title but he's not prepared to get involved,i think i'm proper F''''D now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[mepstein]

I would demand he get involved. You paid for a car with good title. Right?

[914Sixer]

Maybe the police department will be able to help you nudge him?

[Tom_T]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) Brian,

... Had he sent it with proper tracking & verified delivery via Post Office, UPS or FedEx, then you'd know what happened, & he'd be covered for delivering it (or she).

As of now, he has no proof that he sent it - if he did (or she) - so they need to get involved, or rollback the transaction (I'm pretty sure that will be State[s] laws &/or the federal UCC laws - but you'll need a USA lawyer for those if pressed to sue).

Start with you & the seller both contacting the Post Master at the post office where the seller is located, & also at the destination (Sandy UT IIRC) - to see if they can track down where it is - or if the seller then admits to not sending, losing or not having it in the first place.

If the seller has defrauded you, don't hesitate to report the crime to their local Police & their state's DMV - & tel;l them you'll do so.

If you got a Bill of Sale or something from the seller, then you may be able to get a USA based DMV specialist to help you get title form the DMV in the seller's state to then transfer to Utah or the UK.

I don't know if Donna Leek does DMV work outside of Cal., but she's helped several classic car/truck & vintage trailer folks whom I know with CA-DMV problems, but it may be worth contacting her, since she may be able to refer you to someone in that state even if she doesn't do it herself.

http://dmvgal.blogspot.com/

Cheers Mate & Good Luck! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Tom
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[cal914]

Thanks Tom,
I bought the car 2 years ago to have a GT Replica done,its all most finished and getting ready to be shipped to the UK,we needed a scanned copy of the title for the shippers that's when we found out that the title hadn't been shipped with the car back in November 15,the car was bought in early 2015 and was at another shop when we found someone else who could start the project sooner,We had the car shipped to the new shop minus the title,the original shop found the Title and posted it to Utah but as yet hasn't turned up and i'm now convinced its lost,that's when we contacted the previous owner so after all this time i can understand him not wanting to get involved,what we do next i'm not sure any suggestions would be much appreciated
Brian

[TheCabinetmaker]

If the previous owner had his name on the title and it's never been transferred to a new owner, he's already involved. He can't prove he delivered a clear title. He needs to obtain a new one.

[cal914]

It's been just over 2 years

[My 914]

At the very least, I would have a conversation with a local attorney who is knowlegable about title issues and get an option as to how to proceed. It will cost you some money but probably worth the investment, given the value of the car at stake.

[Larmo63]

If the previous owner "doesn't want to get involved," it sounds like he is acting criminally, and needs to be dealt with accordingly.

What can we here stateside do to help you out?

[mepstein]

At the very least, I would have a conversation with a local attorney who is knowlegable about title issues and get an option as to how to proceed. It will cost you some money but probably worth the investment, given the value of the car at stake.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

[wndsrfr]

Thanks Tom,
I bought the car 2 years ago to have a GT Replica done,its all most finished and getting ready to be shipped to the UK,we needed a scanned copy of the title for the shippers that's when we found out that the title hadn't been shipped with the car back in November 15,the car was bought in early 2015 and was at another shop when we found someone else who could start the project sooner,We had the car shipped to the new shop minus the title,the original shop found the Title and posted it to Utah but as yet hasn't turned up and i'm now convinced its lost,that's when we contacted the previous owner so after all this time i can understand him not wanting to get involved,what we do next i'm not sure any suggestions would be much appreciated
Brian

The shop that has done the work for you should be able to file a "mechanics lien" demanding full payment from the registered owner and/or the other shop that claimed to send the title....they would then gain title and be able to transfer it to you....difficult depending on there being two or more states involved. The current shop should have an attorney to do this.

[porschetub]

Interesting,I don't fully understand your title system,do you have a main database of car records and ownership history ?,we have a government department that handles that in my country.
When you purchase a car here you must do a "change of ownership" form,You can get fined if you don't ,worst of all you can be liable for unpaid fines /fee's or infringements if the car is legally not in your name.
We don't call it title it is known as "registration" ,we pay up to date for the period of 2 months minimum or maximum 12months otherwise you aren't meant to drive on the roads.
If you fail to pay the registration fee's for a period of 12months the vehicle is classed as deregisted and the number plates become government property and must be handed in.
If you want that car back on the road legally you must pass a full "compliance" inspection and new plates are issued ....this is rather expensive to do.
For a small fee you can find the full history (good and bad) of a vehicle that you intend to buy or already own however due to the privacy act this can be somewhat limited these days,the important part is you can find if money is owing at the same time.
It is rather difficult to trick this system because even your useage is monitored ,this almost entirely prevents odometer fraud and road user charge crimes.
If a vehicle is modified in almost any way or collision repaired from a "write off" (insurance loss) it must have a compliance inspection of modifications/repairs.
I'am not up with US laws but it appears the OP has a difficult situation due to the time that has lapsed and the fact of having to prove the car even had a title,sad stuff indeed.

[mepstein]

Here every state is different for title and registration and is even year dependent. Sometimes all you need is a bill of sale, sometimes not. Regular registration, antique registration. Sometimes you need an inspection, sometimes not. Crazy

[Drums66]

I would demand he get involved. You paid for a car with good title. Right?

......Damn Skiiiiiiipy!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)(stolen)