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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
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    23

    Default Buying a Car from a Third Party With a Title Pre-Signed by the Owner

    My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: Massachusetts
    I bought a car and now believe it was a fraudulent transaction in many different ways. One of the issues was that a daughter was selling her dad's car in his absence. She never presented a Power of Attorney or mentioned it. Also, all the documents (title and bill of sale) were signed by her dad before he left the country and she never put her own name anywhere on the documents as his Agent. Was it legal to do that?
    Thank you

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Title Signed by Owner Before They Went Abroad

    Probably legal. She never claimed to own the car.

    Were you able to transfer title and get registration? If yes, then it's water under the bridge and there's nothing you can do about.

    What other "ways" are you talking about? Or do you just have buyer's remorse for some reason.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Posts
    23

    Default Re: Title Signed by Owner Before They Went Abroad

    Quote Quoting adjusterjack
    View Post
    Probably legal. She never claimed to own the car.

    Were you able to transfer title and get registration?
    If yes, then it's water under the bridge and there's nothing you can do about.

    What other "ways" are you talking about? Or do you just have buyer's remorse for some reason.
    This isn't remorse. First thing off, i double-checked about the reliability and safety of this car, as i really know nothing about cars. She was claiming that it is in a really good condition and her dad even wanted to take it with him abroad, but it's expensive to do that. The car is 2004 Mercury Sable with 230,000 miles on it. Once again, i know nothing about cars. Anyone that i talked to afterwards tell me that it's a miracle that it started. They unscrewed the license plates right after the purchase and let me go like that, so i was risking (found out only later that i couldn't drive without license plates and car insurance). I understand this was my problem, and i should have researched that in advance, but honestly, i was just trusting nice well-educated people from my own country.
    Next thing is: i arrived home and noticed that the check engine light is on. The mechanic came by a couple of days later (once again, i can't drive this car yet, no license plates, no insurance, there seems to be a potential problem, so there's no point getting these now) to see that this is catalytic converter issue and these people couldn't sell this car like that. I just contacted the sellers and told them i needed to return it. They were thinking for about 3 hours and then said they were leaving for a vacation next morning, and we would talk next week only, unless i wanted to drop the car off that night. I explained to them that i can't drive this car and they have to come get it themselves. Well, there were some arguments here, but long story short, they told me i could take it back to them for a refund, but it is just not possible. Lemon law, from what i know, requires inspection (=driving the car somewhere for evaluation) and has to be done within a week of purchase. Consumer Warranty does not apply to me. I feel like i'm stuck and don't know how to get out of it...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Buying a Car from a Third Party With a Title Pre-Signed by the Owner

    If you chose to purchase the car as-is, knowing that the daughter was acting on behalf of her absent parents, and you were or are able to register the car, then despite the irregularity you should expect to be held to your bargain.

    If you have been offered a refund, but aren't willing to return the car so that you can get a refund, you won't get a refund. Even if you sue, no court is going to award you a refund without your returning the car.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    18,340

    Default Re: Buying a Car from a Third Party With a Title Pre-Signed by the Owner

    How much did you pay for the car?

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