Anyone done a lost title vehicle purchase?

[44hunter45]

I'm eyeing a 1982 GMC Square Body barn find in decent shape for a project rig.

Last known registration was 2008 and seller says title is lost. I may end up having to jump through all the hoops a for a conditional title.
Is the hassle worth the prize?

 

[WinkB]

Just had to do this with a motorcycle recently in WI. The story was the bike was owned in IN, sold to a guy in IL, then my daughter picked it up. We did a title search to make sure it wasn't classified as stolen. Then we had to get a bond for the bike which wasn't very much. With that, we were able to obtain a provisional title through the DMV. Here you have to wait I think it was five years before you get a "Final good" title. From there everything was acceptable, we were able to ensure it, register it and put it on the road. In WI if you sell it the bond can then be transferred over at the time of sale and the next owner can keep the clock ticking. A little bit of a pain in the butt, yes however due to the value of the bike and everything it wasn't a bad process. I am not sure how it may vary state by state.

 

[Addicting]

Every state is different. But first and foremost have the sheriff run the VIN to ensure it isn’t listed as stolen. Then make sure the person selling it is the registered owner. Not the owners brother, sister, cousin….

 

[RealMuddyboots]

Curious why wouldn't registered owner just get replacement title?

 

[MTTW]

As stated above every state is different. I just got one in MT and it took 3 months but was actually quite simple. MT wants a notarized bill of sale from who you bought it from.

I had the lady at the dmv check my paperwork before I sent it in, which included a police inspection/VIN check. It cost under $20.

My father-in-law lost the title for his car in Spokane and went to the dmv and had a replacement the same day.

 

[44hunter45]

I will have eyes-on the last registration in the glove box today I hope.

Leaving for Alaska with MRS45 at zero dark thirty Saturday. That is the priority right now.
She seems to want a daily itinerary, I'm more of a, "get there and see what happens" kind of guy.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Curious why wouldn't registered owner just get replacement title?

Doesn't work if the original owner passed away. I'm in that pickle.

 

[FairWeather]

I did this once. It was for a Honda moped while in Alaska, I had to send a letter to the last registered owner via certified mail to then get confirmation that they sold it, after which point I could then file for a lost title. I did eventually get that confirmation…6 years later. By that point I had already sold the thing and moved states.