Used Car from Dealer - Title Issues

[shjeeper]

I bought my wife a 2002 Ford Focus in North Carolina on June 17, everything seemed great and all, I was told that within 3 weeks I'd have my tags and everything for the car. So I drive around with temp tags until about the 3 week mark when I start calling the dealership to see if my tags are in. With no help other then they're working on it, I finally walked in there to find out what the hold up was because the temp tags expire tomorrow July 17. So here's what they say...

The title is still in Michigan, the previous owners dad has it.

I was told by my bank and by a couple friends that they illegally sold me the car, is that true? It's a great car and all, but in hindsight I could have done better.... What are my options if any? Thanks

[jk]

=shjeeper;334057]

I was told by my bank and by a couple friends that they illegally sold me the car, is that true?

yep, absolutely

It's a great car and all, but in hindsight I could have done better.... What are my options if any?

well son, this may be your lucky day.

since they could not convey title to you, they are in a sticky situation of either figuring out (very quickly) how to convey title to you or rescinding the sale.

I would not allow any time for them to make whatever corrections they may be able to take to obtain the title. The simply fact is, they did not and do not have title now so they could not legally sell the car to you.


I would contact your bank and let them know your intentions. They may be able to do something about reversing any payments they made to the dealership.

the other option; wait for the title. Understand that if the dealership does not have legal title, they may not ever be able to get legal title which to convey to you. How do they know there is not some problem or lien on the title they cannot clear?

[shelbydakota]

While it is illegal, one thing that may hold you back is whether you financed the car or bought it straight out. If you financed it, you can't get the title anyway because you do not own that car yet. If you bought it straight out, then you would be able to get the title. Also, temporary tags are supposed to last 45 days, are they not?

[jk]

While it is illegal, one thing that may hold you back is whether you financed the car or bought it straight out. If you financed it, you can't get the title anyway because you do not own that car yet. If you bought it straight out, then you would be able to get the title. Also, temporary tags are supposed to last 45 days, are they not?

actually, you do get the title put into your name. I cannot remember which is which as I deal with 2 states and they work a bit differently

Indiana and Michigan.

One state transfers the title and simply registers a lien on the title and sends it to the owner. The other state transfers the title to the new owner, registers a lien on the title and then sends the title to the lien holder.

In either case, the title is transferred into the new owners name and as such, the person buying the car is the owner, either way.


Either is irrelevant in this case anyway. The seller does not have a title to the car therefore they cannot sell it.