buying used out of state car - title, registration (sales, car registration)

[ncohafmuta]

I'm a CO resident with my current car registered in CO.
I'm going to buy a used car from texas (to replace my current car which i'll donate) and getting a car loan to pay for it.
From the information I read I need the title, VIN verification and an emissions test for registration.
My questions are:
1. How can i get the title for title transfer and car registration if the bank will own the car and have the title?
2. Can i get the VIN verification at the emissions center or should I go to a dealer first?
3. Will i use the license plates from my current car on the new car? Or will I get new plates?
I'm thinking it goes like this
Title transfer, Car insurance, VIN verification, emissions, car registration.

Thank you,

-Tony

[WhereTheSidewalkEnds]

Is this a private party sale or through a dealership? Is the bank cutting you a check?

We have done an out of state purchase of a car through private party using a Capital One blank check. If I recall, we got the title from the seller and had to send it in to Capital one. I think all the paperwork from the sale is what you use for registration - it's been a long time ago, so I'm not 100% sure on that. Generally the bank takes care of all the title work. Also, the bank will want proof of insurance first, before giving you a loan.

You can just go to the emissions place to get the vin number verification. You most likely need the emissions test anyway. You can't register it until you do.

As far as plates - if there is still a value to the plates you have on your current car, then yes, you can use them. What you do is take them in with you at the time of registration. What ever value is left from the old car (it will be prorated) can be put towards the registration of the new car. Don't put the plates on the new car until you've registered it though.

One more thing - the bank should give you instruction on exactly how things should be handled if they are cutting you a blank check. It really all depends - private party, dealership, if the car has an existing loan that needs to be paid off, etc.

[sunsprit]

Originally Posted by ncohafmuta

I'm a CO resident with my current car registered in CO.
I'm going to buy a used car from texas (to replace my current car which i'll donate) and getting a car loan to pay for it.
From the information I read I need the title, VIN verification and an emissions test for registration.
My questions are:
1. How can i get the title for title transfer and car registration if the bank will own the car and have the title?

The seller will hand you a signed over title for your purchase along with a Bill of Sale for the transaction. These are but two of the documents you will need to obtain title in Colorado. The title you will receive in due course from the DMV will show you as the owner and will list your bank/lender as the lienholder. It's a legal point, but you are the owner of the car, not the lender ... who will file for a secured interest in the car with the Sec'y of State; you will hold the title in your name and have physical possession of it. If there are delays in obtaining the signed over title for your purchase, perhaps a release needed by a lienholder on the current title, you will be spending time getting a temporary license plate to allow for the paperwork to catch up with your purchase. If you're buying from a Texas dealer, then you will be able to obtain a Texas temporary license plate, which you will use to drive home and to the Colorado DMV. Don't forget that you need to call your insurance agent upon the purchase of your vehicle and advise them of the details so they can bind your coverage immediately. A sharp agent will FAX you a copy of the temp insurance so you've got that for your travels as well as your registration of the car in Colorado.

If you're buying your car from a dealer, they have lots of experience in their title clerk's office doing the paperwork package for the proper sale of the vehicle to you. The last thing they want is to have a messed up deal due to errors in the paperwork, and they're usually pretty good about getting it right the first time. They'll be handing you the Fed Odo certificate, in addition to the title and bill of sale. A private party sale won't typically have the Odo certificate, so you'll be filling one out in Colorado and signing off on it.

2. Can i get the VIN verification at the emissions center or should I go to a dealer first?

You can get a VIN inspection at any Colorado law agency. Your local PD or Sheriff Dept can do the physical inspection. A Colorado car dealer isn't going to do this for you.

3. Will i use the license plates from my current car on the new car? Or will I get new plates?

Keep you old plates from your vehicle. Save them and the old registration so you can get any pro-rated credit toward your new vehicle. Do not put these plates on your new vehicle unless you've got the paperwork authorizing them to be used on another vehicle; your DMV may authorize you to use your old plates or may request them to be turned in and they'll give you new ones.

I'm thinking it goes like this
Title transfer, Car insurance, VIN verification, emissions, car registration.

Almost. Seller's title paperwork conveying ownership to you, car insurance, VIN Inspection and Emissions certificate, new owner title paperwork in Colorado (which is where your lender may get involved to establish their lien) with the Colorado sales tax to be paid, then car registration with the ownership tax and use fees.

Thank you,

-Tony

All in all, it's an easier process than most people think it is ... as long as you have proper sales documentation and no hold ups with getting a cleared title to you and your lender. The title and registration clerks do this all day long and are well able to guide you through whatever paperwork you need to present.

[ncohafmuta]

jk, dealership. probably a wire transfer.

Thank you both so much for your help. It's very appreciated.

-Tony

[WhereTheSidewalkEnds]

Originally Posted by ncohafmuta

jk, dealership. probably a wire transfer.

That makes it really easy. The dealership and the bank will take care of a lot of it between themselves - you'll get the paperwork from the sale that you take to the dmv here in Colorado. Easy - (we've done it that way as well and we bought the cars in Texas as well).