Ask Me Help Desk - Paid but NO title

I paid total price asked for used car, and used car dealer said he would mail title in few days. It is now one month later and he still says "the auction dealer still has the title, and I can't get it" Every time I called dealer, (twice/wk) he gave some lame excuse for not having title. Should I be concerned? Do I have a course of action?

Quote:

Originally Posted by akaclw1959

I paid total price asked for used car, and used car dealer said he would mail title in few days. It is now one month later and he still says "the auction dealer still has the title, and I can't get it" Everytime I called dealer, (twice/wk) he gave some lame excuse for not having title. Should I be concerned? Do I have a course of action?

First, it's not a good idea to piggyback your question on someone else's - especially since no one has posted on this thread for over a year. I've asked that it be moved to it's own thread.

Second, where are you located? I can't speak for every state but in my state(Wisconsin), a dealership can sell a vehicle wholesale(dealer-to-dealer) but not retail(dealer-to-consumer) without a title present.

Has the dealer had the same excuse for not having the title? What paperwork did you sign? Did you get copies of everything you signed?

It is illegal for a dealer ( at least in my area) to sell a car they do not have the title for.

So merely go back to the dealer with the car and tell them to give you all your money back, NOW.

If they don't have a title, they can not give you one.

They are required to have a state license ( sadly many of the very small places are not even licensed ** at least around here)
Next get that money back NOW, since if they would go out of business, or bankrupt, you may just be out.

They were to have the title on hand, when they sold the car

I purchased a car for my daughter, a used vw jetta that seemed perfect. She is a new driver, and this car will get her around locally (a 2000) I paid full price so there is no financing. It has been 30 days, and no title has been sent, in spite of 8 different calls made to dealer. The dealer stated that this car was bought from an auction. Today her temp tags expire, and the dealer is willing to get me another thirty day tag.

This happened in manassas virginia. I looked at the back of the temp registration, and it says that the dealer must contact dmv after 30 days, and file an extension with the reason for delay spelled out. If the title is never produced after 6 months, I can take the car back and get a refund. Is this true? What does the phrase,"buyer loses interest in car"? It is a condition that results when a title can not be produced. It is in the explanation on the back of the virginia temp registration.

Also, dealer has assurred me that he will get the title today, and mail to me. I have heard this at least 4 times. What is the deal? Why would he do this if the law is against him? (fyi, I put 1400 xtra dollars after car overheated. The mech said that the maintenance on this car was not kept up. And yes, I did sign an "buy as is" document.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akaclw1959

i purchased a car for my daughter, a used vw jetta that seemed perfect. she is a new driver, and this car will get her around locally (a 2000) i paid full price so there is no financing. It has been 30 days, and no title has been sent, in spite of 8 different calls made to dealer. the dealer stated that this car was bought from an auction. today her temp tags expire, and the dealer is willing to get me another thirty day tag.

this happened in manassas virginia. i looked at the back of the temp registration, and it says that the dealer must contact dmv after 30 days, and file an extension with the reason for delay spelled out. If the title is never produced after 6 months, i can take the car back and get a refund. Is this true? what does the phrase,"buyer loses interest in car"? It is a condition that results when a title can not be produced. It is in the explanation on the back of the virginia temp registration.

also, dealer has assurred me that he will get the title today, and mail to me. I have heard this at least 4 times. what is the deal? why would he do this if the law is against him? (fyi, i put 1400 xtra dollars after car overheated. the mech said that the maintenance on this car was not kept up. and yes, i did sign an "buy as is" document.

Okay, now we've got a big problem. According to this website:
Motor Vehicle Dealer Board
The dealer was required to give you the title at the time of purchase. Paragraph H reads as follows:
"...[22] Finally, in Virginia a motor vehicle dealer is required to “correctly endorse” and “deliver” the title of a motor vehicle to a purchaser “at the time of delivering the motor vehicle.”"

As you've already invested money into the vehicle, I would say the first step to take would be to file a complaint against the dealership; let the state handle it for you. You can do so here:
Motor Vehicle Dealer Board - Primary Function - Consumer Complaints

Let us know what happens!