Car titles are important because they are the legal documents that prove ownership of a vehicle. Titles are also used for recreational vehicles, boats, watercraft, motorcycles, and other major motorized products. Some states use the term “pink papers” for car titles, which are not the same as the document a person receives when they are fired from a job. Every time a person buys a car, whether new or used, he will receive the car title from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in his state. If a person decides to sell his vehicle, he would transfer the title to the new owner.
So what happens if you lose the title? What happens if you never receive a title? Read on to learn about your options for selling a car without a title.
No title? No problem.
Sometimes car titles are lost or even stolen, and other times they never transfer to the new owner. Regardless of why your title is missing, there are still ways to sell your car without it. Although having a car title can make the process easier, selling a vehicle without a title only requires a few extra steps.
This is what you can do:
You can declare your car title lost or stolen. All states have a procedure for car owners to request a duplicate title in the event of loss or theft. Learn about the process for your state at your local BMV.
Some states have a process for car owners who want to sell their vehicle to a private party. Find out if your state has these procedures at your local driver’s license branch.
If you have a junk car that you want to sell to a junkyard, check to see if they will do business without a title. Some companies will buy untitled junk cars if alternative documentation can be presented to prove ownership.
How to sell a vehicle to a junk car buyer:
1. Call the company and ask them about their junk car sales process. Ask them if they will do business without a car title.
two. If they buy vehicles without titles, ask them what documentation is acceptable proof of ownership.
3. Locate any alternate documents that may prove ownership of the vehicle you wish to sell, such as your registration and driver’s license.
Four. Follow the steps the junk car buying company gave you to complete the process and receive your cash.
