Hi,

Another semi-legal question for those of you who've bought and sold more cars than I..

Missouri does not want to title the 300TD I've recently purchased, because the title is not in the name of the previous owner... Here is the deal. The PO bought the car, and because the Texas license plates and registration were all up-to-date, he didn't bother to get the title assigned to him. The previous previous owner signed and dated the 'seller' portion of the title, but the 'buyer' portion remains blank.

Missouri tells me, "We can't title it to you, because according to the documentation, you didn't buy it from the legal owner. He needs to get the car titled to him, then assign it to you." Thats a lot of paperwork, and the previous owner would have to pay sales tax and fees on a car he's already sold (probably a hair over 200$)

Another option is that I could fill out the 'buyer' portion of the title with my information, and as far as the paperwork was concerned, I would have bought it from the previous previous owner directly. Problem with that is that since the seller portion has already been dated, I'd be looking at a 150$ fee for being 'late' in my title registration.

The first option is the 'normal' legal way to do it, but if the previous owner is willing to share the burden of the fee, the second option could be cheaper for both of us. He is a reasonable and nice guy, and I'm not afraid that the car is stolen or anything, and I think he'll be open to making this work.

However, the reason I ask is.. Is there any other (ie, CHEAPER) solution to this problem? The previous owner works at an auto dealership, is there some sort of magic that dealers can work to get titles fixed?

Funny that I'm buying a 22 year old car from 700 miles away, and the part that has been the most hassle is the paperwork.

Thanks for any insight!
Sam

__________________
"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

I ran into a similar thing in Arizona trying to 'dispose' of my dear departed aunt's 1986 Buick. I went through puredeehell trying to transfer the title to her friend in Tuscon from here in Austin. Finally, I gave up trying to do things the 'right' way, forged my aunt's signature, sold the stupid thing to myself and got a Texas title that I could then use "resell' it to her friend back in Tucson.

The ironic (and frightning) thing was that it took less time and effort to liquidate a couple of hundred K in assets, close her bank accounts and access her safety deposit box than it did to transfer the title to a stupid 18 year-old car that was barely worth $600.

Bureaucrats...not even worth eating.

__________________
Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

No advice, just empathy.

I once had a 58 VW bus that had originally been titled by the engine number instead of the chassis number. The DMV told me that since it wasn't running I could take a piece of paper and make a rubbing of the VIN number. So, I took a number punch set and an old Pepsi can and voila! I had the correct VIN number.

Another time, the DMV had me listed as deceased.

Have you tried contacting the PO. He's the one who left you in the lurch, so to speak. Most used cars are sold "as is", but maybe he'd be willing to split the cost of rectifying the situation. After all, it's because he was trying to avoid sales tax that you're screwed.

I also live in MO, the DMV here seems to be the biggest PITA of any state I've ever lived in. Indiana was the best - just mail in your money and get your tags.

I vote for the "sign your name and pay the late fee". I thought there was a maximum late fee charge as well.

The term you need to be familiar with is "open title". You cannot buy or sell a car with an open title. It has to be in the actual owner's (previous owner's) name. He actually is part of the crime involved, as he sold you a car that he did not legally own.

Steve.

__________________
'93 190E/D 2.5 Turbodiesel 5-speed (daily driver)
'87 190D 2.5 Turbo rustbucket - parts car
'84 Dodge Rampage diesel - Land Speed Record Holder
'13 Ram 2500 Diesel
'05 Toyota 4Runner

This is quoted from another forum. I have never used this company and don't know anything about them. Consider this information worth what it cost you.

Fill your info in the buyers part and sign the title.

Go online to TEXAS DMV and print out the applications.

Apply for Texas title as though you purchased it from the current registered legal owner.

Pay any late fees that may apply or submit a "statement" that the car was immobile, not operable or whatever for the missing time frame and not registered or used on any highways during the time period in question.

You can have a Texas title with any address you like, even MO. I've had HI, CA, MS and LA addresses on my Texas titles & registations as I moved around the country.

I was overseas. My TX registration expired for 5 years. I came back and applied for current tags. I think all I had to due was submit a statement or form that the car was not in operation for the lapsed period and they waived the "late fees".

In short, skip MO and just get the title in your name the easiest way. Deal with only ONE agency if possible. It's currently TX...so deal with TX. You have a valid title that is signed, put your info in and title in your name.

You can even apply for TITLE ONLY, that means you need no proof of ins & pay no registration costs. No plates will be issued. All it does is transfer leagal ownership to you. You can worry about plates & registration later. Plus it helps your case for claiming that the car was & is not currently operable and thus the "reason" you are sooooo late applying for title and that they should waive late fees.

I go through cars, titles and registrations like crazy.

Cut MO out of the process and you will have no problems.

The "middle" man never existed

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

I'll solve that problem for you Phideaux....

Just give me the car...I'll worry about all that paperwork stuff for you.....and you won't have any more headaches...and the CFO here in the house will be overly extatic...

Sound like a cool deal????

__________________
1998 W202 C230 - The money pit of late.
1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
1966 Glassic Model 'A' Replica http://www.glassicannex.org

http://banners.wunderground.com/weat...Round_Rock.gif

I was wondering also. I bought the car from a dealer.

But the registration has three signatures.

first owner then dealer #1, now dealer #2, and following that would Be ME!



On the front it has first owner information.


the signatures on the back explain who bought it from who.

But it never renewed the registration.

Will this be a problem in Indiana!???

Licensed Dealers in most states are allowed to re-assign a title without registering it in their name

----------Robert

Thanks!

Don't you have to take the car to Texas to do this? It may be cheaper to do it through the mail. If you could do it without a VIN inspection, online or something it would be a boondoggle.

I think I can do it through the mail with Texas.. I'm thinking now that odie's suggestion might be the cheapest legal solution. Texas's fee for late titling is only 10$, unlike the 25$ per month (200$ max) fee that Missouri has. From what I've been reading at TX's DOT, I can title it by mail, pay my small late fee, and be OK. Then after a few months I can title it in MO (since if I keep it titled and registered in another state for 90 days, MO won't charge me sales tax a second time), and do my registration. The current TX plates, inspection and registration are good until May 05, so I've got some time to get this worked out.

I think at this point I'm largely 'screw proof' since the title is in my possession, and has been signed over by the seller. I still need to transfer it to my name, but I should have basic protection from the seller applying for a lost title and selling the car a second time or other weird stuff. Its not a completely 'open title', just a 'partly open' title.

I'll let you guys know how it turns out. Thanks for all the advice! I think I'll bring a notary with me next time I buy a car.

peace,
sam

__________________
"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

No TX VIN inspection since the car is currently TX registered.

A MO car getting TX title does require a VIN inspection.

I've done 3 out-of-state titles converted to TX title in the last 2 years.

TX to TX and they don't care, since they already know the VIN is valid.

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5

This is the part I didn't understand, no VIN inspection required. I was trying to figure out how I could do this with vehicles registered in other states.

Some states print the title while you wait. Others make you wait to get it in the mail.

every car I bought that already had a TX title did not require me to get the VIN number verified prior to me getting it titled in my name.

all the vehicles that I bought that had out-of-state NON-TEXAS titles, I had to take the vehicle to a TX inspection station and have the inspector verify the VIN # before a TEXAS county clerk would let me apply for title.

Since the vehicle is already registered & titled in Texas, all you are doing is applying for a transfer of ownership as you "just bought" the car from the "registered owner"

All the clerks that I've delt with have been pretty nice. Keep it REAL SIMPLE for them and you will be ok. Just get the application form from the web site, fill it out & mail it to the county tax assessor clerk for the county that the title & registration is currently from. Include your check for title fees, taxes and what ever else. Don't forget your MAILING address. You should get your new TEXAS title in about 2-3 weeks.

Then do what you want...

KEEP IT SIMPLE

__________________
1987 300TDT
1981 VW MKI Caddy 1.6 diesel, waiting on engine swap
1983 D-50 Power Ram 4x4 "Mitsubishi" 2.3 turbo diesel
assorted gas powered crap and motorcycles

RIP: 1984 300TDT, 1982 300TDT, 1984 190D 2.2, 1992 300D 2.5, 1987 300TDT, 1982 Maxima LD28, 1983 Maxima LD28, Isuzu C223 P'ups X3, 1983 Holiday Rambler 6.2 Banks turbo diesel, 1984 Winnebago LeSharo 2.1 TD, 1985 Allegro 6.5