confusing audi for sale... [couple more]

[Tim Paul]

> Why would a car not have a title?

[remarks below may or may not be specific to Washington state]

Could just be be lost. Could also be a salvage vehicle, which are sold with
slips that look scarily unofficial --> the buyer of a salvage vehicle must
apply for a new title as though the car never existed. "Salvaged" doesn't
have to mean "wrecked," could have been stolen and the insurance company
paid off, making the car salvage in most states.

Here's another scenario, from my own experience:

I once bought a van with Florida plates from a friend here in Washington,
who'd bought it from a guy in California, who'd bought it from its Florida
owner without a title (this title was merely lost). Trouble was, the guy in
California had lost the title, the Florida seller couldn't be located... A
search at the DMV revealed that the title was clean, and bills of sale
existed that made a legitimate-looking paper trail back to Florida. What the
state of Washington is willing to do for you in such a circumstance is send
a letter or your behalf to the last known address of the titled owner of the
vehicle (here, the guy in Florida). You are then allowed to register the car
in your name, and if three years (!) pass without a peep from the
title-holder, a title is mailed to you in your name.

Leave a note on the windshield, listen to the seller's story, and if there's
enough paperwork to make you want to gamble your money, go for it. Take the
seller to the DMV with you, check his/her license, etc, etc.

Good luck, if it all works out, it's a steal.

Cheers, Tim 87 4ks