Bought Car with No Title

**sunnyd8** · 03-20-2012, 09:03 PM

My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: ca
I recently bought a car with no title and plates. The seller was telling me that he got the car from his friend and he doesnt know where the pink slip is at. He gave me the vehicle/vessel transfer and reassignment form telling me that this is what i only need to register the car at the dmv. I had no clue on what paper work you needed to register and transfer a car. The seller lied to me telling me the car was clean, i recently looked the car up on car fax and it was salvaged. I did not go to the dmv to get a background check on the car and im afraid that it is stolen. I have a picture of his Drivers License and address. I called him and told him if i cant register the car tomorrow at the dmv and if the car is stolen, i will report him to the police. Do you think i can get my money back? Will this bring him to court?

**Mr. Knowitall** · 03-22-2012, 07:25 AM

What happened at the DMV? Did you go ahead and try to register the vehicle despite knowing it was salvaged? Did you succeed?

Is anything in writing in relation to this car purchase?

**sunnyd8** · 03-22-2012, 08:49 AM

The seller of the car gave me the bill of sale. He also wrote on a piece of paper that stated " I the sellers name on 3-19-12 is to the sell the 89 nissian 240sx to my name. He told me he was the owner of the car and when I went to the dmv yesterday, they tell me that the car was not register under his name. They told me the car was at a junkyard in 2010. They then tell me i have to get the lien packet from the junkyard. I called the junkyard and they tell me that in order to get the lien packet i have to get the person that bought the car from the junkyard. What can i do now?? Is this illegal fraud??

**Mr. Knowitall** · 03-22-2012, 06:07 PM

If you make the effort to answer the questions posed to you, it will be easier to speak to your situation.

Assuming that was meant to mean that, "no", when you went to the DMV with the paperwork the seller provided you were not able to register the vehicle, given that he hasn't given you title that you can register you can try asking him for your money back. When he says "no", as he likely will, you can try suing him in small claims court.

Your case in small claims court would likely be predicated upon the fact that he represented that the vehicle did not have a salvage title, did not disclose a salvage title, was not able to convey title to you, and sold a vehicle that would not smog, along with anything else you can think of.

**sunnyd8** · 03-23-2012, 07:29 AM

So I don't need to report this I the cops?? Do I just go file a claim at the small claim court?
Thank you

**Mr. Knowitall** · 03-23-2012, 11:08 AM

If you want to try making a police report, nothing is stopping you. I am not sure what crime you believe was committed, but perhaps the police will identify one after you share the facts.