Something to watch out for when buying a used car.

[Steve P.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS9jANqRpxQ

[JB400]

Heard about that.  It's a shame.  Question is, why didn't the DMV catch on to it when they registered it?

[TUFCAT]

It sounds like "the victim" loses everything in this case....the purchase price, taxes, tags, license plate, all maintenance and repair costs ...Plus they're walking with no car to drive!

[Cooter]

I see people all the time come in the shop wanting a vehicle looked over AFTER they've bought it.
only to find out it's a wreck.
"But the Carfax said it was clean??"
Carfax ain't worth Diddley if it was repaired under the table. I mean, who trades of a used car with only 20k miles on it???

Sure, it was a 'program' vehicle...yeah, right. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

[twodko]

People just don't get it with a CarFax report. They only list service or repairs documented through
a dealership or insurance company.

[69charger2002]

What i can't understand is how do they get a clear title for a cloned car?? it's a little different process with a 2008 cadillac escalade versus us not having a title for a 69 charger and trying to register it. If you dont have a clear title here on a newer vehicle, you can't get it registered/titled. PERIOD.   I mean there is no way that guy paid $30k for an escalade and not receive a clear title. If he did get a clear title he should sue the state for issuing it on a stolen VIN.

[Steve P.]

About a year ago a buddy told asked me why the DMV would have called him about selling his car. He did sell his car and it was a personal sale, but he thought it strange the DMV called him to make sure he sold it. I am betting this is why...

[bakerhillpins]

Typical of our system these days, punishes the victim and lets the criminals go free.. the Victim is the one who gets in trouble, looses everything, and has to sort out all the legal problems.

[Mike DC]

     
What else can they do?   We all want them to prevent the crime but there isn't much they can do about cases where it's already happened.  I'm sure they are trying to track down the crooks too.

It's not like any of us would be okay with getting our Charger stolen, finding it, and then hearing the cops say, "Sorry man.  This new owner bought it legitimately from the thief so he gets to keep it now."

[Steve P.]

I've only known one person whom had their car stolen and recovered. She was paid for the theft after months. More than two years later the police recovered her car and the insurance company kept it. She was offered the car back, but would have had to return the money they gave her toward a new car.. She bought a new car with that money, so she really didn't care about the old one.  It was nice of them to offer it back, but at a cost.. I suppose if it were my 65' I would want it back, but if they paid to replace my truck I would tell them to keep the old one too!!!

[Tilar]

I buy all my cars from the government. If it comes up stolen, they did it. 

[Homerr]

From this report it sounds like state DMV's talking to each other would solve some of the problem.

[Windsor]

Look at more than one vin location. Look on the frame, windows, and so on. Also, you can always ask for a police inspection. They do it free and can run the vin nationally. I had the vin on my sand rail and the hin on my jet boat run by the local PD before I purchased them. I also had them run the vin on a car that a friend wanted to buy. They found it was stolen from ND, so she didn't have that issue to deal with.

[Steve P.]

Great idea Windsor!!

I believe that the DMV is how they are finding the stolen cars in question. I do not understand how they are not catching it right away though. If I buy a car from an individual, it have to show them the title. Even if they have made a fake title, why aren't the records coming up 2 different names on the same vin?

Maybe the DMV needs GOOGLE!! 

[ws23rt]

The DMV can do more to help every one. They can come up to date with how they do their work.

It seems their is a lack of motivation to get better as well as keep up to date in their day to day operations. This is an unfortunate consequence of government agency's. They do interact with law enforcement but seldom on a proactive basis.

I had an issue with the Oregon DMV a few years back where they suspended my drivers license for a mistake my insurance company made. The DMV did not notify me of the suspension taking place and I found out two years later when I got a ticket for speeding. ( I did indeed operate my vehicle at 63mph in a 55mph zone )

When I contested the driving on a suspended license ticket the judge dismissed the charge and warned me that the DMV cannot be relied upon for doing the right thing or the proper thing. He said it is up to the individual to know about their driving status and deal with the DMV until satisfaction happens.

In my case I had to buy another insurance policy  (SR22) for two years to satisfy the DMVs requirements for my violation that they caused.

The DMV can help everyone including law enforcement but they need to be told to do so. We pay plenty in taxes and fees to cover what they do do and most likely much more.

[Cooter]

While I will agree about the suspension thing, it already takes way too long on Sat. To get anything done.
most only have jobs where Sat. Is the only day to go. Why is there 20 stalls, with only 4 people working?
on the neg. Side, I wonder how piling more work on DMV will cause even more delays.

[Steve P.]

Our DMV is surprisingly fast. Even when you walk in and get that sinking feeling from seeing a hundred people already sitting down, you get through pretty damn fast.. 

[Cooter]

I've been back 3 times for the title on this 37. So far, it looks like there's no way around the $275.00 it will cost me for a 1937 title.
both two times, I waited over an hour only to have the lady tell me they don't issue titles for anything but trailers there at the DMV.

All that for nothing.