Sold Car In Driveway Sale But Buyer Did Not Transfer Title - Too Late?
My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: Texas. My husband and I sold two cars to a brother and sister in a driveway sale almost a year ago. We signed over the title to them, noted the odometer setting on the title (on the car with the working odometer), and filled out and signed a receipt (which they also signed). We did not know that we had to do any further paperwork. We realized that they would have to transfer the title at the courthouse, of course. Our first realization that something was amiss came when we received notification of registration renewal on one of the cars in the mail today, clearly indicating that no transfer of title had occurred. In that envelope (most helpfully :rolleyes:) were detailed instructions on how to sell a car and the responsibility of buyers vis-a-vis the title transfer. My problem: I can take the receipt and my photocopy of the title that I transferred to the courthouse, but I have no address for the people to whom I sold the car - I have only first and last names. What are the ramifications for me? Because one of the cars was used for business purposes, and is accounted for in my taxes, it is very important that everything is handled by the book (at least from this point forward). THe information that I have says that if I notify the DMV that I have sold the car within 30 days, I am released from liability. Clearly it has been longer than 30 days. I have a dated receipt. Where do I stand on liability now? Thanks.
Re: Sold Car In Driveway Sale But Buyer Did Not Transfer Title - Too Late?
Have you attempted to locate the people you sold the cars to via directory assistance or an internet search?
With respect to further liability, you'll want to contact the DMV immediately and ask them what you need to do. They're not going to send the sheriff out to arrest you or anything, they'll simply advise you on your next steps.
This sort of thing happens all the time.