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.

 

[44hunter45]

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

I just talked to the seller. He says he inherited it.

I'm patient enough to sit on the ITD phone line for 45 minutes. The process is pretty well laid out on their website, but there is no discussion of probate complications.

Proceeding with caution. I really don't want the "you do this every time" thing IYKWIM

 

[mevertsen]

I had that happen here in NV.

I went with the owner's spouse.
(Title got lost in a fire, after she gave the truck and title to another person, then I acquired the truck from him).

She filled out...

Lawful heir to estate,
Lost title,
Bill of sale to me...

Then I paid for the title into my name.

My father inlaw also transfered a truck to my wife and I. We met at DMV. He had the title. He signed the title and lawful heir paperwork, then did a bill of sale on the spot and I registered it, as I already purchased an insurance policy for it.


Edit, my father inlaw also got a title for a truck that was part of hos brother's stash. The only thing to go on was a registration taped to the steering column from The 80s. It was registered to his mom. He had the death certificates for that. We now have both the aforementioned 1997 and 1946 Dodge trucks.

 

[gwhunter]

I just sold my old truck and couldn't find the title after moving 3 times since purchasing it. Im now in Michigan and had to order a replacement title from Indiana. It was around 15 bucks I think. Just got it in the mail today actually. Took about 2 weeks.

Easiest thing would be for the last registered owner to request a replacement. But I guess only if they are willing to do that.

 

[belshawelk]

I bought a trailer with no title. I held out money until they went and got a new title. I took possession and kept out $500 for them to get title. $6000 trailer. Offered $5500, gave 5k at possession. Got title in a couple days. I think she always had but just didn't want to spend time looking for it.

 

[Addicting]

I just talked to the seller. He says he inherited it.

I'm patient enough to sit on the ITD phone line for 45 minutes. The process is pretty well laid out on their website, but there is no discussion of probate complications.

Proceeding with caution. I really don't want the "you do this every time" thing IYKWIM

He inherited it but so did everyone in the estate when they find out it’s gone.

He needs to get the title first.