Was given a car with no title, what do I do? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

abiggercamera · #46 01-19-2011, 04:16 PM

Apply for a title to an abandoned motor vehicle at your county tax office. If the previous owner has reported it stolen, this will show up and you are not liable. They can come get it and you must let them. If it is not, then you may apply for title.
If the previous owner does not want the car and you have applied for title, (it may have been too much trouble for him/her) you may get a clean title to it after a period of (I think) two years and a provisional temporary title.
In any event, by doing so you are not in violation of the law, which you would be driving a potentially stolen car.
Is there a mechanic's lien against it?
Paul

Jim B. · #47 01-19-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

After reading your story and understanding that the original owner is still paying for the registration on this car, and your inability to obtain the title, I wonder why it hasn't occurred to you that not only can you not keep a car that you don't own, but you also can't part-out a car that someone else owns.

It sort of is like stealing , i.e. selling merchandise that belongs to someone else.

"Sort of" stealing, is kinda like "sort of" pregnant, innit?

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

So the issue is not about your or the owner's "feelings" about the car, but a moral one.

Ahem.

Of primacy is that it's a LEGAL one.

With stiff custodial penalties attendant, if you jump wrong.

Like, and such as, you know?

Jim B. · #48 01-19-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12

Ok, so I was working with a buddy in the service department at a Porsche dealership here in Austin, I spotted a sad looking early 90's BMW 5 series sitting in the grass

< snip >

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyRoger

Texas car dealers can sometimes be an unscruplous lot, in fact, I have been told some of them can be untrustworthy.

WOW, even PORSCHE dealers in Texas are a bunch of no-good crooks?

Maybe that is how come their salesmen, sales and finance managers all wear sunglasses all the time.

To hide their BEADY EYES !!!!! <---------

JordaanDMC-12 · #49 01-19-2011, 05:18 PM

I'm going to see if it's possible to ship this thing back to the dealer, if I would have known that these people were still paying registration for it, I would have not bothered with it the day I saw it, the only reason I towed this thing home was because I thought it was totally abandoned...

Nothing in this story makes sense, dealer couldn't get a lien on it.. why? The owners were a "dead end" why?? Why haven't the owners picked it up? This is way to much crap and like you all said if they decide to report it stolen i'm up ***** creek...

Thankfully I only removed like three pieces yesterday, I'm putting them back on getting rid of it. It's a bummer but obviously the best and right thing to do. I can confidently say I learned a valuable lesson with this whole situation. Part of me really wants to drop it off in the city so it's impounded, I doubt the owners would pick it up and I could get it dirt cheap at an auction. But I don't want to risk driving it, so unfortunately towing is my only option. There was a lot across from the dealer that they part their cars in, I think that's my best bet.

Also this whole thing pissed off my 300E, she was perfectly fine, this BMW comes into the picture and my rear wheel starts clicking and my wiper breaks while driving to work in the rain. I'll bet she'll be happy when it's gone too lol

allikanbe · #50 01-19-2011, 05:39 PM

And, in case it hasn't been mentioned, all of this car business is permanently on the internet. Either selling or parting out a car that doesn't belong to you is just illegal. Hmmm, maybe i'll stop by the local car dealer and see if there are any cars that look abandoned (no plates or registration) and get some nimrod who works there to say that I can have it. The car isn't his to give away. Good grief. I would quickly tow that car back to the dealer and be done with it.

Jim B. · #51 01-19-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JordaanDMC-12

Thankfully I only removed like three pieces yesterday, I'm putting them back on getting rid of it. It's a bummer lol

Jesus H Christ in a mens warehouse suit

Aquaticedge · #52 01-19-2011, 05:45 PM

my question... why the heck have you NOT called the owner... see if you can get a title... never hurts to try...

JordaanDMC-12 · #53 01-19-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquaticedge

my question... why the heck have you NOT called the owner... see if you can get a title... never hurts to try...

I want to and will once I drop the car back off at the dealer, maybe there is still hope

Hatterasguy · #54 01-19-2011, 06:13 PM

The dealer is going to be pissed once you drop it off. Just forget about it. If you want an early 90's 5 series go and buy one, its not that rare or expensive of a car to get involved like this in.

Don't tell the dealer, just do it. Get it on their property and leave, I'd do it after work hours.

JordaanDMC-12 · #55 01-19-2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

The dealer is going to be pissed once you drop it off. Just forget about it. If you want an early 90's 5 series go and buy one, its not that rare or expensive of a car to get involved like this in.

Don't tell the dealer, just do it. Get it on their property and leave, I'd do it after work hours.

Once it's back I will, I only really wanted it because it was there, but I'm not going to go out of my way to find a 5 series. The only other car i'd get now is a 94 Ford Explorer, but I'll just save up for it.

I don't even know if I want to call them now, I just want it gone...

Benz Dr. · #56 06-01-2013, 11:57 AM

After reading through this thread I have a question. Were you really out driving this thing around your area? Tell me you were just kidding...... please!

jplinville · #57 06-01-2013, 12:01 PM

Or...you could have SPAM and eggs for breakfast!