used car title question (loan, buying, DMV)

[kevin347]

I am trying to buy a used car from a person who has the car registered/titled in VA. He has a lien on the car. He's telling me that he does not have Title in his hands and in VA the DMV keeps the title if there is a lien. I am going to have the car MD inspected (on my own expense) just to make sure the car passes that before handing him the check but He's telling me that he's not going to pay off the loan if I am not interested in buying the car and want to use my check/cashiers check to pay off the lien and he's saying that after 5 days the bank will send me the title directly.

Something does not look right here to me. How should I handle this transaction? Is it ok if I collect a letter from his Finance company with the car information and his information to have a proof that car is paid off ? Should I insist on the title even if he has a letter from the finance company? Not sure about the laws of MD..

Please help !
Thanks

[Zembonez]

Title in hand or no deal.

I would NEVER buy a vehicle if I could not receive the clear title in my hand at the time of purchase. You have no guarantee that this guy won't skip with the check and never pay off the car. Laws and methods of handling titles do vary by state. I'd ask your bank how they think it should be handled.

[kevin347]

I am going to register/title in MD. I am paying cash, no bank involved. I found some information on MVA site, link below, but it does not clearly state anything about the title, just talks about the Lien Release letter/form.

Maryland Vehicle Title and Registration Information

Thanks

Originally Posted by Zembonez

Title in hand or no deal.

I would NEVER buy a vehicle if I could not receive the clear title in my hand at the time of purchase. You have no guarantee that this guy won't skip with the check and never pay off the car. Laws and methods of handling titles do vary by state. I'd ask your bank how they think it should be handled.

[Zembonez]

Unfortunately the laws here are not going to be like the laws there, so I can't help with specifics. I would do whatever was necessary to make sure the lien is paid off and the title was issued to you. Otherwise you have no protection.

[MrRational]

Kevin, is this the same un-inspected Virginia car you were trying to buy in November?
Even if not... give it up already.

Find a car that is already inspected in Maryland AND with no title complications.

hth