Q: How do I go about this situation?
Hi, I purchased a car June 29th with no title. However the seller gave me smog certificate, DMV Bill Of sale Signed, & a dmv title replacement form filled out. I went to AAA to try and get the vehicle title transferred with all the paperwork I have minus the title. They tell me that the car is still under a lienholder and there are dmv backfees as the registration was not paid since 2022. This car has tags however no registration was given to me at time of purchase. I contacted the seller and they said they had just paid the car off and they’ll get me the proof of lien release from carmax. I haven’t heard from him in a week. What are the next steps I can do to ensure that this car is mine. I have all documents such as texts, screenshots and anything else that would benefit me and save my back.
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- California
- (916) 704-3009
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- Answered
A:
In your situation, the first step is to contact the seller again and request the proof of lien release from CarMax. Make it clear that you need this document to proceed with the title transfer and registration. If the seller is unresponsive, you might consider sending a formal written request via certified mail to ensure you have proof of your attempts to resolve the issue.
Next, visit the DMV with all the documents you have, including the smog certificate, DMV bill of sale, filled-out title replacement form, and any communication with the seller. Explain the situation to the DMV representative and ask for their guidance on how to proceed. They may have specific steps or forms for dealing with vehicles that have outstanding liens and unpaid registration fees.
If the seller remains uncooperative and you are unable to resolve the lien and back fees issue, you may need to seek legal advice. An attorney can help you understand your rights and explore options for recovering your money or taking other legal action against the seller. Keep all your documents, texts, and screenshots organized and ready to present as evidence if needed.
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