San Bernardino, CA asked in Consumer Law and Gov & Administrative Law for California

Q: I bought a car a few months ago cash ....I was given a bill of sale and when I tried to register the vehicle I couldn't

The person who sold it to me said they are a mechanic and the person never came back for car

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: If you purchased a car a few months ago with cash and were given a bill of sale, but you are unable to register the vehicle, there may be several reasons why this is the case.

One possibility is that the vehicle has a lien on it, which means that someone else has a legal claim to the vehicle until the debt is paid off. If this is the case, you may need to obtain a lien release from the lienholder before you can register the vehicle in your name.

Another possibility is that the vehicle has an outstanding parking ticket or other citation that has not been resolved. In this case, you may need to pay the outstanding fines before you can register the vehicle.

It is also possible that the person who sold you the car did not have legal ownership of the vehicle, and therefore could not legally transfer ownership to you. If this is the case, you may need to obtain legal assistance to resolve the issue and establish rightful ownership.

It is important to note that in California, you generally cannot legally drive a vehicle that is not registered in your name. If you continue to drive the vehicle without proper registration, you may be subject to fines or legal consequences.

In summary, if you are unable to register a vehicle you purchased with cash, there may be several reasons why this is the case. It is important to investigate the issue and obtain legal assistance if necessary to establish rightful ownership and register the vehicle in your name.

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