Don’t Overlook A Car Title Check
It is scary to think that with a large purchase, such as a car or truck, that a title that appears to have no problems can actually be fraught with danger. Without a proper car title check you may be setting yourself up for a major financial disaster. If you think I am exaggerating then you need to keep reading….I think you will change your mind.
Crime is prevalent and the creation of counterfeit or fraudulent titles is big business. There are people that make it their profession to use these worthless titles to register and sell cars that not only don’t belong to them but are actually stolen cars.
First Step: Free Car Title Check
In some states when you go down to the DMV with the car VIN number they will check the car VIN number against the title of the car you are thinking about purchasing for free. That’s right there are some states that will give you a free VIN check. In other states they will check car Vin numbers and will charge a very small sum. In either case a check of the car VIN number is a necessity.
There are several areas that you will need to make sure match up. The VIN number on the car will need to match up exactly to the VIN number on the title. If the number doesn’t match exactly then don’t buy the car.
Ask to see the sellers id. The name on the id should match the one on the title. If it doesn’t then they are not the legal owner of the car and may not have permission to sell it.
Another benefit of going to the DMV to have the car title check done is that it will show any financial obligations that are attached to the vehicle. We are talking about liens against the title. If there is a lien against the title that means that the car is not paid off. You will need to be very careful if you decide to buy the car.
If the loan doesn’t get paid off then even though you paid the seller the full amount they were asking, the bank can still and probably will repossess the car. If you are buying from a private seller who advertised used cars by owner this could complicate the transfer of the title and make registration next to impossible.
Be very careful. Make sure the transaction is completed at the same bank that is holding the lien on the title. Also make sure that the money owed on the car is paid and that the bank agrees to release the lien. Do not take anybody’s word for anything. You need to be there and witness the cash changing hands.
No matter how careful you are and no matter how clean the title appears to be it could still have problems.
Here are some things that should raise a red flag in your mind about the title.
If the car or truck had recently been transported into your area from another state and is newly titled, that is a warning sign.
If the VIN number on the car appears in anyway not to be perfectly legible or shows any signs of tampering that is a red flag.
Most titles have watermarks. A title is an official document and should look like one. If you have any doubts have the DMV, the police, and the state the car came from check out the VIN number. You can’t be too careful.
An official document will have sharp and clear text, graphics and edges. If anything on the title is blurred or not clear you will need to be very careful before proceeding with the purchase.
If you are unsure about the “look” of the title then you should compare it against an original title from the same state. Ask a friend, family member, or even the police if they will compare it for you.
There is no doubt that a VIN number check is your best defense against someone trying to sell a stolen car. Make it a point when buying a car to have a car title check done before any money changes hands.