Projects Why sell cars without a title?

when it comes to 70+ year old cars it’s just part of the game. Owners die… titles get lost, people sign the wrong line and don’t wanna spend the $$ to fix it…. blah blah
$500 and you can get a bonded title

 

More info. This was a V8 Pinto I got for 800. It had mounts, exhaust and other stuff to fit that would make a fairly easy to sell 'kit' in a box. I did NOT make any attempt to make it pretty or look nice/valuable when I took it to MVD. Bond was 200. Both insurance (bonding) and MVD didn't know what they were looking at and just saw agreed value (if that!). This was back in 2012, so this is quite possibly before the changes.

I agree that oversize (Bus, motorhome, RV) stuff that won't fit on your own trailer jumps cost in a big way. Most yards won't take them even for free, due to the huge percentage of trash to steel.

 

Not true.....

Texas State Title Regulations
It is illegal to sell a car without a title in Texas. Texan law requires an official title for all vehicle sales. This ensures that the seller actually owns the vehicle they are selling.

 

Don’t need a title in CT. CT won’t issue a title for a vehicle over 20 years old. I used to live in RI same deal. I just needed an old registration to get a vehicle registered in RI. Of the 3 old vehicles I have registered none have titles.

 

Unless I really want the car, no title is a no go for me only because I don't want to go through the hassle of titling it.
Come to think of it, I haven't bought a car in several years.

 

If anyone has a 32 33 or 34 roadster or coupe they don’t have a title for I’ll be happy to give you double scrap weight for it. Cash waiting.

 

@adam401, last I saw scrap for complete cars was 140 a ton. Better be careful, that might push you over 500 bucks if it's stuffed with extra wheels, doors, fenders 'n such!

 

Me too.

 

If it's that "easy", then do the legwork, get it titled, and do your buyer a favor.

 

That is a direct copy of the wording from a car dealership website, not Texas DMV. Again, this is false information.

Go directly to the source... https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/bought-a-vehicle-with-no-title



Nowhere on the Texas DMV site does it mention it being "illegal" to buy or sell a vehicle without a title.

 

I'm in Maine, they don't issue titles for cars over 25 years old so all you need is a bill of sale.

How to Register an Antique Auto or Antique Motorcycle:

1. Pay excise tax at your town office. Excise tax is a municipal tax. Please contact your local municipal office for additional information.
2. Documents needed for a private sale:
   • Signed bill-of-sale;
   • Pay sales tax (5.5% of the purchase price);
   • Evidence of insurance (ID card, policy or binder);
   • White & yellow copy of registration application and excise tax receipt (from town office);
   • Antique Auto Affidavit (MV-65) - also available at BMV branch office;
   • If your antique auto/antique motorcycle was purchased from a Maine Dealer, proof of sales tax paid (purchase agreement, etc.).

 

I could and would if it had a engine and transmission. It's being sold as a parts car. The new owner will have the option of whichever route they choose to pursue. I have bonded complete vehicles that were sold.

 

Not in Texas, so this is an outsider thought, but it seems like one of those things where alone it wouldn't be pursued, but if you are breaking a bunch of laws, it might be tossed on the pile when you are being held and part of a plea deal.
@TexasHardcore thanks for quoting direct info!

 

I only do the legwork to get a title on a car that is actually worth more with one like the 62 Impala SS I did a couple years ago. If my guess is that someone is just going to part something out, then why waste money and time on a title that then makes the car overpriced for the guy just needing a parts car?

 

Corrrect on all accounts. AL didn’t even get titles until they were Federally mandated for the 1975 models. Last few years they changed that to the 35 year rule, over 35, none needed. That still confuses a lot of folks or they just don’t know the law, you can find good deals on 35 older stuff that the title is lost or missing. Folks sell cheap thinking it will cost a fortune to title, then it’s actually not needed
Piece of Govt paper is not going to stop a car theft. More a way to insure Govt gets money off that car each time it changes hands.

 

You're talking about two different issues. Overpriced junk and cars without a title. I will agree that if it has a title, it's a bonus. But here in California, I can roll up to my friendly DMV service with a car that doesn't have a title and hasn't been registered in 7+ years (out of the system) have him do a VIN verification, I fill out a statement of fact stating that the car hasn't been on the road for X number of years... and I walk out in about 20 minutes with license plates.
So, to me... not an issue... and something I use as a bargaining chip.
Sam

 

I will also say... I have the service or the CHP run the numbers before I buy it... just to make sure it's not stolen.

 

Agree, but with the cost of these things getting crazy and the gov't and insurance tracking ownership/history, I prefer a recognized document that offers proof of ownership.
It's one thing if another can be found, bought and driven for a week's wages, but that's not how it's going these days.
EDIT: as far as gov't cost, I just got a 20 year old out of state private party truck titled here Monday. Title transfer and one year of registration was 30 bucks.

 

In Tennessee you don't have to have a title to scrap anything 20 years and older. I have scrapped several that way. Junk stuff abandoned on a family farm.

 

Indiana BMV has a state Bill Of Sales form complete the form as described. Have processed at BMV if everything is on the up and up you receive title for your vehicle.
That form is a legal document if buyer and seller sign it better be accurate. Or there could be a problem. There’s also a vin check by a police officer involved. I’ve use this process lots of times over the years.

 

Just to make note its on your government website. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=OC
Title 7 Vehicles & Traffic. Sub Chapter B
Section 501.022 Motor Vehicle Title Required.
(c) The owner of a motor vehicle that is required to be titled and registered in this state must obtain a title to the vehicle before selling or disposing of the vehicle.
Edit: Its Title 7 in the Transportation Codes

Its technically illegal to sell a vehicle without a title in 48 states.

 

@JohnLewis I agree that it is good to have a title, but "motor vehicle that is required to be titled and registered" seems to leaves a loophole. You can own a motor vehicle without registration if it is not operated on public roads (race car), just like a field car or farm equipment. It may be covered in other sections, but like I said before, I'd guess the blue meanies aren't actively looking for scufflaws with a junker behind the barn. They might track down someone who is buying and selling 10 cars a month without a dealer's license and skipping titles, then toss this on top.

 

I might take that bet.

I guess it depends what a person's time is worth, if they want to spend their free time at the DMV, assuming they have the $100+ ready to spend in a title, etc.

For a seller with foresight and patience, I would agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, the majority of vehicles being sold without a title seem to fall well below $5000, at least around here, from what I have seen scouring fb marketplace, leading me to believe the potential additional profit from obtaining a title is not something most sellers are willing to do.

In WI, it takes five years to clear a bonded title, so probably too long for most folks to wait.

 

Never tell them it was purchased with out a title. Just say, I have this old car that’s been sitting and I’d like to title it.

 

Yes it diverts to a earlier section 501.029. Acceptable proof of ownership. I think alot of it comes from the 90's federal laws to cut down on stolen vehicles.

 

Well, I bought my Model A without a title, in Pa. I live in Maryland, not the nicest start to deal with but I got a title for it. Titled to the serial number on the frame. I did have to have a "bill of sale" and it did cost some cash for the title company. I don't know if you can still do it, I think it went through a New England state, don't remember which, maybe Vermont, New Hampshire, not sure but it worked. So I see the value of a car with no title but I can also see that it may be a crap shoot. I guess if the price is right, take a chance.... only if the price is right.

 

Why do people do it? For the same reason people sell a car that "just needs a fuel pump, only a 90 dollar part, easy fix" instead of actually doing the work. They're lazy, and it's actually a lot of fucking around/not guaranteed to be as easy as they think/say.

For a parts car though, I wouldn't bother. My local scrap yard here will take a very old car without a title, so no worries when I'm done with it.

 

There is a common scam going around. Seller offers a car on a BoS, no title. You buy it and file for a bonded title. Title search comes back as stolen, theft filed the day you paid. You get no title, no refund, and the car goes back to the listed owner, who is not the seller you dealt with. The seller was fake and disappears like smoke on a windy day.

 

Since Moriarty brought up show and race cars:
I crewed for a guy that had an oval track Ford FE 390.
We were trying to get across the border to race in Canada. The customs officer insisted on a serial # which we didn't have anywhere on the car.
Our driver had a revelation, opened the hood and showed him 15426378 on the intake manifold.
"Thank you, Sir. Have a nice day!"

You're a funny guy, Donnie. RIP