If I have recently purchased a vehicle, the title comes to me in the seller's name signed over to me. Will a dealer take that title on trade in if it is accompanied by a notarized bill of sale showing that I purchased it from that person, or does the title have to be in my name?

Thanks for all the help, as usual!

 

It is my understanding that you do need to go to the DMV and pay the taxes on it, then you can trade it in after, at least here in Cali, is the tax set up different out there? Or the person who sold/gave the car to you can go with you and sign off for it at the dealership, but this can be a pain if your not friends with them.
Matt

 

Anyone else have any other thoughts? Thanks Pierceman!

 

All right, I'll be a bit more specific here:

I recently purchased an '01 s2k. I have since come across a change in financial situation, so I'm interested in trading it on an '00 to pick up a few extra dollar. Because I just purchased the car, and I'm having a hell of a time getting the title (don't have it yet), I haven't registered the car and payed taxes on it yet.

Is there any way that I can go to the dealer and trade it in without paying the taxes on it, or should I just pay the taxes and not even try?

I'm more than willing to pay the taxes, but obviously would prefer to save the $1500 if possible.

So, can I do it at all? Can I do it, but only if the previous owner is willing to help me by signing something?

Just curious. Thanks for the help.

 

Not trying to be a smartass, but we don't set the dealers' policies, and they may vary. Why don't you just ask the dealer how they'd handle this situation?

Similar case: I always try to do "in and out" trades when I buy a new car. Some don't do them, some do them free, and some want to charge an admin. fee. Asking here what a dealer would do doesn't get you very far...

 

Yeah, I have no problem asking the dealer. I was simply asking here because I have yet to ask a question that someone here couldn't answer. I just thought maybe someone would know.

 

I can only imagine that you would need to pay the tax...... I don't see how it would work any other way.

did you ever get the title thing cleared up?

 

Nope, haven't cleared up the title issue yet. Have a letter from an attorney ready to go tomorrow. I think i finally figured out what happened. It was partly my fault for not being aware of this and watching for it, but its still a pain in the arse.

The seller took my check and used it to buy a new car instead of paying off the loan on "my" car. Then started lying to me about the whole situation.

I figured I'd have to pay the taxes. Not a huge issue as I had planned on it originally anyway, but I figured it was worth asking. I was just wondering if I could pass the signed title directly to the dealer. If they'll take it, possibly along with a copy of the bill of sale showing that I have purchased the car, I don't see why they couldn't re-title the car as they would normally anyway. The only thing I could see causing a problem would be the fact that the title would be in the previous owner's name and would be signed over to me, but with a bill of sale showing that I own it...

Anyway, I'll have to just go talk to the dealer(s) once I get the damn title. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by munckee
[B]Anyone else have any other thoughts?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by munckee
[B]Yeah, I have no problem asking the dealer.