Consumer Blog
I lost my car title - what now?
Missouri consumer writes:
My fiance recently purchased a '64 Chevy Bel-Air and had the title signed over to him. This car hasn't been drivable so he waited on getting it registered. It is getting close to being drivable and he realized that he can't find the title. We are unable to locate the owner. He isn't living in the house that we bought the car from.
Thanks to Maura Browning at the Missouri Department of Revenue for the help in answering this one.
You have three options:
1. You can get a declaratory judgment through the Circuit Court in your county, ordering the Department of Revenue to issue a title to you. This is your only option if you don't have a bill of sale from when you bought the car. Check with your county Circuit Clerk on how to begin this process.
If you don't have that bill of sale, here are your two options:
2. If the car is worth $3,000 or less, you can apply for a bonded vehicle original title. You will have to buy a surety bond up to two times the car's value. Call Department of Revenue on this, 573-751-4509.
3. Since the car is more than 25 years old, you can get a salvage bonded vehicle title. This requires you to buy a surety bond worth 1.5 times the value. Once the car's drivable, you need a Highway Patrol inspection to convert the vehicle back to an original title that allows the car to be registered and driven on public roads. From the date of purchase, you have 30 days to title a vehicle, so depending on date of purchase, you may face late titling penalties.
Moral of the story: Always, always, always get the title before buying a car, and keep it. Your motto should be NO TITLE, NO DEAL! AG Nixon frequently sees complaints from consumers who bought cars but never got the title. See more in our All About Autos publication.
Technorati Tags: auto, auto salvage, automobile, automobile title, bonded title, car, car title, lost automobile title, lost title, title, moagoconsumer, consumer protection
Posted by on May 10, 2007 3:40 pm :: Comments (29) :: Permalink
29 Responses to "I lost my car title - what now?"
says:
November 12, 2007 3:09 pm
Found a motorcycle to buy used. But the current owner stated she does not have the title. She stated that it belonged to her sister who has passed away. How do I get a title for this motorcycle? I have not bought it yet. Is a bill of sale stating the death help get the title or will the current owner need to apply? Thank you
says:
November 13, 2007 12:29 pm
To Donna:
Again, "no title, no deal." You run a great risk if you buy a vehicle with no title. Otherwise, it's much harder to prove you own it.
Checking with the Dept of Revenue (info above) is your best avenue to make sure you do this right.
says:
November 18, 2007 2:50 pm
You are absolutely correct. It is very hard to get ones title back if it becomes lost. This is also why it is so important to not by your car from a curbstoner (someone selling cars illegally on the side of the street or a parking lot). If you do and the title is messed up, incorrect, has previous liens you won't be able to contact the seller to correct these issues as they are using a false name or similar to sign over the title and quickly leave with your cash.
Here's a great article thats very appropriate here: The used car bill of sale and why you must always have one. This is a must read article that explains the pitfalls and potential nightmares that can happen and how they can easily be avoided.
David M.
says:
March 15, 2008 2:11 pm
My fiance bought a used car from a guy for 1800. The guy went to Kansas to get the car 'inspected' and said that the car ran great. He signed the title and gave the bill of sale to my fiance but the very next day the car stopped working. The guy said he would pay for any work that needed to be done to the car so my fiance waited on and never signed HIS name on the title yet or got it registered because the guy still has not fixed the car, and the one time he did work on it, he ended up snapping the clutch cable and causing more damage to the car making it completely undrivable. We finally had to tow it into an auto clinic in which it needs 1200 dollars worth of work done to it. My question is that since my fiance never signed the title or had the car registered, does he still own it? and what can we do to get our money back on the car or at least the money for the repairs?
says:
March 17, 2008 2:29 pm
To Lisa:
I can't think of any advantage for your fiancé not to sign that title. That means he paid $1800 for a car he doesn't technically own.
It will be difficult to get the seller to take care of any of this for you. Most used cars are sold "as is."
Page 10 of our All About Autos publication strongly encourages consumers to do a title search on used cars before buying them, rather than trusting the word of the seller.
says:
April 3, 2008 3:53 pm
I (stupidly) paid for a motorcycle and got a signed (but not notarized) bill of sale from the previous owner, but he signed the title in the wrong place and said he would request a new title and send it. Of course, I have not received the title (after five months) and only have his girlfriend's address, (a few hours away). Last time I e-mailed her, she said he had submitted for a new title, but just hadn't sent it to me. I actually saw the title, and even saw the correct VIN on it at the time of the transaction. I have physical posession of the bike. I think he really planned on sending the title, but simply hasn't yet. Any suggetions? (Other than don't be so dumb next time.)
says:
April 4, 2008 9:58 am
To Randy:
You would not be able to file a complaint with our office, since you bought the bike from an individual.
The above instructions in this original blog post should explain your options in this case.
says:
April 13, 2008 6:23 pm
I have misplaced my title after buying a 2002 lexus i have the bill of sale and all other paperwork that came with the sale. Is there any way to get another title even though it hasnt been transferred to me
says:
April 15, 2008 9:50 am
To Tyrone: The steps outlined in this original blog post should apply to you. If not, call the Dept. of Revenue for guidance.
says:
April 17, 2008 12:29 pm
My husband and I bought a used car form a car dealership not 24 hours ago. My son noticed the engine light came on while driving to Branson. He turned around and took it the dealer we bought it from. They said that the fuel is not mixing the way it should. They also said this would not due harm to the car now or in the future and would still pass inspection. I think they need to fix the problem. I don't have the paperwork in front of me from the dealership its in the car. If you are given 30 days does that mean something like this should be fixed?
says:
April 29, 2008 12:46 pm
My mother and her husband bought a used car for me from a private seller and now we cant find the title. The insurance is in my name and the title was in my stepfather's name.We also have a bill of sales and contact info from the seller. However the title was also signed by a women (original owner) who we have no idea of how to contact. Is there any possible way to settle this?
says:
April 29, 2008 1:48 pm
To DaMario:
The steps outlined in this original blog post should apply to you. If not, call the Dept. of Revenue for guidance.
says:
May 3, 2008 2:16 pm
I'm asking on behalf of my dad. He owns a 1989 Ford pickup outright from his new purchase in that same year, although he did get full title until around 1991 after paying off the loan. QUESTION: where can he get a new title, since his original title was accidentally destroyed by someone in our household?
says:
May 5, 2008 3:26 pm
To Benny: The steps outlined in this original blog post should apply to you. If not, call the Dept. of Revenue for guidance.
says:
May 20, 2008 11:17 am
I am a former owner of a car transferred to someone who lost the title and never registered the car. They now want to register the car and are requesting that I sign a form to obtain a duplicate title. Problems are: By filling out and signing the form (DOR-108A) it appears that I'm saying I still own the car, but I don't and I have told the State of MO I don't, and I haven't been paying personal property tax on it. So will it look strange if I am now asking for a duplicate title (as an owner)? Also, the form requires a MO address, which I no longer have. I am now married with a different name and without a MO address. What should I do?
says:
May 21, 2008 4:55 pm
To Leslie:
You should contact the Department of Revenue at the number in this original blog post above.
says:
June 9, 2008 12:07 pm
Lost title,no vin on truck,I last registered it in MO in april 1994.How can I get a dupicate title?This is a 1934 model.
says:
June 9, 2008 3:04 pm
To Jerry:
The steps outlined in this original blog post should apply to you. If not, call the Dept. of Revenue for guidance.
says:
July 1, 2008 8:18 am
Do you have form for me to print for request title mine is lost jim
says:
July 17, 2008 4:56 pm
I have had a 1978 Dodge pickup truck for many years and cannot find the title that is in my name. Can I file for a lost title?
says:
September 3, 2008 9:51 am
I have requested a duplicate title and mailed in the form. How long will it take to recieve the new title in the mail?
says:
September 3, 2008 10:11 am
To Jessica:
You need to contact that Dept of Revenue for that question. Number is above.
says:
September 4, 2008 7:06 am
i received a car as a gift from a friend who is moving out of state . the car belonged to her mom who is deceased ,problem is the title is lost what should i do?1993 Tracer
says:
November 23, 2008 12:00 pm
I don't know how many times this question has been asked or answered, but I've bought a 1997 nissan 240sx on May with expired tags. He gave me the singed title which I've lost of course. Its now close to December and I have no plates. How can I get the car registered with no proof of ownership and just a simple old temporary registration of the previus owner who sold me the car? Please let me know. Thanks. Nestor.
says:
November 24, 2008 9:30 am
To Nestor:
The steps outlined in this original blog post should apply to you. If not, call the Dept. of Revenue for guidance.
says:
March 6, 2009 1:31 pm
I purchased a vehicle at a buy here pay here car lot.....i paid it off a year ago...and then the engine dies.....well im selling the car and just relized that i do not have a title for this car....i called the dealship and they said they lost the title....now im waiting on a lien paper from them to take to the bmv...but its been two weeks....and everytime i call they say oh im going to do it today....now is there a law which states after so long they have to give me my money back on my car?
says:
March 9, 2009 2:30 pm
To Rich:
No - in fact, the law technically says if you don't have a title, you can't prove you own that car. That's why it's absolutely critical for consumers never to buy and drive away in a used car without a title. Still, you can file a complaint with our office and we can try to get the title for you. This is a common problem. Just last week we got a settlement with a small dealership to resolve consumer complaints over this same issue.
says:
March 15, 2009 4:25 pm
My farther is deceased I have his car, registration,and death cirtificate. I don't have the title. This is the only thing in his estate. How do I get the title and change it over to my name?
says:
March 16, 2009 10:46 am
To Richard:
The info in this original blog post (above) should steer you in the right direction.
