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Hey! I recently bought a used car from a dealership here in Los Angeles (last Monday, 8 days ago) and I was told that I'll receive the title in the mail. So far, I haven't gotten it.
How long do I wait before I need to inquire? And whom do I call first - the dealership or DMV?
I have encountered this a couple of different times and it is annoying. Check your state laws on it as there is probably a maximum number of days that they have to get you the title. Last year, we bought a Rav4 from a local Toyota dealership here in Kansas and it took them over 30 days to get us the title. When we went to pay the taxes, we had to pay a penalty. It was a small penalty, but we still had a penalty. Another time, I bought a car from an independent dealer and it took 3 weeks to get the title. They said something about they didn't have the title. I was real nervous about that one because they were kind of shady. They cashed the check real fast. I would call the dealership and if they are dragging their feet, call the state and complain. When I purchase a vehicle and give them the money, I want the title when I leave. I won't go back to a dealership if they can't give me a title when they take the cash. I now ask if they have the title when looking at the vehicle.
Figure anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks average. Assuming they even have the title it has to go to DMV, many times passing thru a title subcontractor. DMV is pretty understaffed and under motivated. I'm sure lots of car are sold before the dealer has the title in his possession. If it was a trade in they may have had to make a payoff to a lender and wait for the lender to send them title. If you bought it from a franchised dealer I would not sweat it at all.
I have encountered this a couple of different times and it is annoying. Check your state laws on it as there is probably a maximum number of days that they have to get you the title. Last year, we bought a Rav4 from a local Toyota dealership here in Kansas and it took them over 30 days to get us the title. When we went to pay the taxes, we had to pay a penalty. It was a small penalty, but we still had a penalty. Another time, I bought a car from an independent dealer and it took 3 weeks to get the title. They said something about they didn't have the title. I was real nervous about that one because they were kind of shady. They cashed the check real fast. I would call the dealership and if they are dragging their feet, call the state and complain. When I purchase a vehicle and give them the money, I want the title when I leave. I won't go back to a dealership if they can't give me a title when they take the cash. I now ask if they have the title when looking at the vehicle.
Probably different state to state. Hear the dealer collects sales tax and license fee due up front. They provide the registration service with the DMV. You receive a current registration and title issued in your name by mail from the DMV after the dealer submits the application. In the meantime you drive on a temporary registration you get when you purchased the car.
Hey! I recently bought a used car from a dealership here in Los Angeles (last Monday, 8 days ago) and I was told that I'll receive the title in the mail. So far, I haven't gotten it.
How long do I wait before I need to inquire? And whom do I call first - the dealership or DMV?
Thanks guys!
CA is a "virtual title" state these days.
The vehicle title is stored in an electronic format within the state motor vehicle system.
If you have financed the car, the title will be held by the state in electronic format with a lien on it to the lender. If you paid in full at the time of purchase, the state will still only hold the title in the electronic system.
Unless you request a title, typically for the purposes of selling the car, there will be no hard paper title issued. Contact the DMV re how to get a hard copy of the title if you need it.
Probably different state to state. Hear the dealer collects sales tax and license fee due up front. They provide the registration service with the DMV. You receive a current registration and title issued in your name by mail from the DMV after the dealer submits the application. In the meantime you drive on a temporary registration you get when you purchased the car.
Do you by any chance know how long? Or whom should I call if I'm missing the title - DMV or the dealer? Thanks.
The vehicle title is stored in an electronic format within the state motor vehicle system.
If you have financed the car, the title will be held by the state in electronic format with a lien on it to the lender. If you paid in full at the time of purchase, the state will still only hold the title in the electronic system.
Unless you request a title, typically for the purposes of selling the car, there will be no hard paper title issued. Contact the DMV re how to get a hard copy of the title if you need it.
Well, almost correct.
The electronic title is only available if you have a lienholder AND the lienholder elects to join this program (ELT - Electronic Lien and Title). It won't be until the second half of 2015 or even later that all lienholders are required to participate.
OP first call the dealer and see if they indeed sent the title info in and if so the date. Then you can call the DMV and ask them about how long it takes for you to get a copy.
Well, almost correct.
The electronic title is only available if you have a lienholder AND the lienholder elects to join this program (ELT - Electronic Lien and Title). It won't be until the second half of 2015 or even later that all lienholders are required to participate.
Huh?
AB1215, which went into effect on 7-1-2012, mandated that every DEALER participate in the ELT (electronic vehicle title system).
Part of requiring the dealers to all use the electronic titling system was to save CA's DMV millions of dollars issuing paper titles when they weren't needed for a purchase transaction.
When I used to buy CA cars on paper titles and take them out of state, I always got a paper title in due course. I've not received a paper title from a CA dealer transaction in recent years without requesting it.
AB1215, which went into effect on 7-1-2012, mandated that every DEALER participate in the ELT (electronic vehicle title system).
Part of requiring the dealers to all use the electronic titling system was to save CA's DMV millions of dollars issuing paper titles when they weren't needed for a purchase transaction.
When I used to buy CA cars on paper titles and take them out of state, I always got a paper title in due course. I've not received a paper title from a CA dealer transaction in recent years without requesting it.
Paid cash for a car last year and received paper title. Paperless usually used with banks and other financial institutions so far. When loan is paid off bank sends lien satisfied to borrower who can then apply for title.
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