registration nightmare - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JB3 · #1 08-25-2010, 07:52 PM

Even on the old cars, on my 74, is it customary to put the WDB before the VIN? NY DMV is even rejecting the notion that my VIN is correct among other things. They require me as usual to take the vehicle to be photographed by the cops and the VIN verified.

They did this exact same thing on a 100 dollar 4x8 trailer a couple months ago too. Im wondering if I feed them the WDB, it might help.

79Mercy · #2 08-25-2010, 08:46 PM

Yes give them the WDB115XXX.....

cth350 · #3 08-25-2010, 08:51 PM

No WDB.

Ask nicely to speak with the supervisor and show him/her a valid NY registration for another old Mercedes. Even an expired one will do, since they can look it up.

-CTH

alabbasi · #4 08-25-2010, 09:03 PM

They should know that the vin numbers did not standardize until 1981, vin numbers prior to that did not have WDB.

JB3 · #5 08-26-2010, 01:02 PM

well, got ejected unsuccessfully from the DMV again this morning. WDB seemed to work with the counter demon I was dealing with and the VIN came up, but
my fast one with a required notarized signature on a PA title did not pan out.

I bought the car from a third party who (not surprisingly) was the standard craigslist flipper with no paperwork connection and a half signed title, but I liked the car enough that I decided to buy it anyway even with a possible paperwork problem.

I have now simply mailed off a letter to the actual owners of the vehicle as written on the title in the hopes that they are A, still alive, B, still at the same residence, and C, willing to meet with me at a notary at some point. The title was issued in 07, so im taking the gamble that they might be at the same place after 3 years.

We will see how that works. Otherwise it can't be registered at all as it stands. I hate all the paperwork problems the flipper practice of evading sales and property tax creates! All to save under a hundred bucks on such an old vehicle, and yet ultimately it means that some cars get so disassociated with their titles that they then have to become parts vehicles.

alabbasi · #6 08-26-2010, 01:06 PM

Move to GA, you can register a wheel barrow as a Mercedes. Actually even it doesn't have wheels, you could probably still register it.

JB3 · #7 08-26-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabbasi

Move to GA, you can register a wheel barrow as a Mercedes. Actually even it doesn't have wheels, you could probably still register it.

Its actually an issue with PA law, and surprisingly not NY law this time. NY titles do not require a notary signature for the parties involved, but the PA title does.
If I move to GA, id probably have the same problem, with the exception that they may not be as familiar with PA titled vehicles and might just register it without noticing the title calls for a notary signature.

I have been trying to work out a way around this situation and here are my options.
1. I manage to reach the titled owners, go meet with them, and get it stamped legit.
2. The flipper has offered the services of a crooked notary I would have to pay, and I would mail the title to the person, have it stamped, and get it mailed back. Obviously, there are problems with this as it constitutes an act of fraud as well as probably some sort of conspiracy to commit fraud, and of course the ethical reason and the fact that I would be sending the only real paperwork for the vehicle off into the wild blue to a known criminal.
3. I sit on the title, take the test and register as a notary myself, and stamp the title then, which would also be an act of fraud probably.

The only legal way is to find the original people on the title.

alabbasi · #8 08-26-2010, 01:26 PM

GA does not require a title for any cars older then 1986. Just a bill of sale.

JB3 · #9 08-26-2010, 01:28 PM

well, that changes things quite a bit! I would need a license in that state right?

alabbasi · #10 08-26-2010, 01:31 PM

You probably need ot show some sort of residence in that state but I don't think a license is required. When I first move there, I registered my car while I still had my TX license. I have since moved back to TX.

JB3 · #11 08-26-2010, 01:45 PM

this has given me a really interesting idea! I just did a search of nearby states to me that I know people in based on title requirement.

There might be a way around this, I sell the vehicle to a friend in RI, who sells it back to me so I can title it in NY. That would circumnavigate the Signed PA title, and all thats required in RI is the old registration and a bill of sale for a car this old.

I do not have a PA registration, but I DO have an old registration out of Texas from yet another PO. The ethical dilemma again here is I would have to forge a bill of sale from the PO's PO to my friend to get the RI registration.

Then to get it back into NY, I would need the RI "statement of title law" which they provide for people selling cars into states that require titles, and sell it again to myself from him.

The problem here is that I would be doubling my sales tax on the vehicle, but since otherwise the car would be impossible to actually register, it might be a viable option.
Problem number 2 is that RI charges sales tax on certain manufacturers based on blue book value alone, not on sale price. MB comes under this law, so this might be a pricey option.

LUVMBDiesels · #12 08-26-2010, 02:38 PM

Let me check the deal in Va, Maybe you can send me a bill of sale and I can title the car here for you...

compress ignite · #13 08-26-2010, 02:55 PM

Georgia does it.

http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/forms/pdf/motor/MV_Title_Bond_Form_MV46.pdf

You'd get a Title Bond and then use it to Have the state issue a new Title.

'Did it once with a "Lost" title situation. (Minor Expense)

See if NY has a similar provision

LUVMBDiesels · #14 08-26-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compress ignite

Georgia does it.

http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/forms/pdf/motor/MV_Title_Bond_Form_MV46.pdf

You'd get a Title Bond and then use it to Have the state issue a new Title.

'Did it once with a "Lost" title situation. (Minor Expense)

See if NY has a similar provision

If it was a 1971 or older car there would be no title needed in NY...

JB3 · #15 08-26-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

If it was a 1971 or older car there would be no title needed in NY...

I know, its SOOO close.

Checked into the bond thing, it looks like I can get a NY title bond too! "price is equal to 1.5% of 150% of vehicle value. Minimum bond is 108 dollars" (from one company)

Looks like I have quite a few options here, which is better than I thought!