Asking to see copy of title before making an offer on a car

[PauletteGoddard]

Is this a good idea? Bad idea?

I ask as I'm in the market to buy a replacement car. I saw one car last night and thought of purchasing it. I looked at the dealer warranty, service contract, service records, but I didn't see a title. I asked to see a copy of it and the seller won't show it to me until it is signed over. As I've not purchased from a private party before I want to make sure I'm doing all the things I can do to protect myself. Even if I have a feeling of trust I might record everything I did for the next time I buy from a private party or someone asks me how to go about buying from a private party.

[bjl584]

I'm not sure why the seller wouldn't at least let you see it. If there is a lein on the vehicle it could cause trouble when it comes time to transfer ownership over to you. I've sold a few cars to private parties. Both of them I've owned outright and had possession of the title. I was never asked by a buyer to produce it, but I would have if asked.

[photo]

I asked to see a copy of it and the seller won't show it to me until it is signed over.

Have you made it clear that you only want to see it to verify that they have it?

Something sounds askew to me.

[disneysteve]

Have you made it clear that you only want to see it to verify that they have it?

Something sounds askew to me.

An owner refusing to show the title does raise a red flag. Why would they not want to show it if they have it free and clear?

[PauletteGoddard]

No I didn't specify I wanted to see it only to verify that they have it. As someone new to buying from a private party I didn't have the experience to consider what other possible reasons a prospective buyer would want to see a copy of the title.

I read an editorial from autos.msn.com that recommended one ask to see a copy of the title. I have seen from smartmotorist.com that a seller would be wise to get a copy of the title to show prospective sellers when asked.

I didn't say it, but I would have been fine with looking at a paper photocopy of the title. Isn't a paper photocopy of the title a copy of the title? He can hold it in his hands while I look at it if it's that touchy a trust matter.

[emanon1501]

No I didn't specify I wanted to see it only to verify that they have it. As someone new to buying from a private party I didn't have the experience to consider what other possible reasons a prospective buyer would want to see a copy of the title.

I read an editorial from autos.msn.com that recommended one ask to see a copy of the title. I have seen from smartmotorist.com that a seller would be wise to get a copy of the title to show prospective sellers when asked.

I didn't say it, but I would have been fine with looking at a paper photocopy of the title. Isn't a paper photocopy of the title a copy of the title? He can hold it in his hands while I look at it if it's that touchy a trust matter.

Well. There could be a lein on it as someone mention that. If you bought the car and got the title with a lein on it, you will have problems and you better buy ten aspirn bottles to handle it. I had this problem before, and I sued the seller. If the seller will not produce the title, move on as there are plently of other cars.

[PauletteGoddard]

Well. There could be a lein on it as someone mention that. If you bought the car and got the title with a lein on it, you will have problems and you better buy ten aspirn bottles to handle it. I had this problem before, and I sued the seller. If the seller will not produce the title, move on as there are plently of other cars.

Thanks for the input -- direct experience says a lot. I have asked on two other message boards and haven't yet read any responses justifying a seller's reticence to produce a copy, but all responses were along the lines of "a seller shouldn't balk at producing a copy -- don't feel bad about walking away if this is the case." I did read, in addition, "Make a copy of your vehicle title in preparation for the sale." from cars.com's seller's guide.

[MonkeyMama]

Yes, I would definitely want to see copy of title AND ID to prove that seller is the proper owner.

I've bought some used cars over the years. #1 rule is the first inkling that anything is *off* - well, forget about it. On one hand, seller may just be reluctant from a personal standpoint. On the other hand, not sure how they expect to sell a car without producing title?

If it were me, I'd just consider it a red flag and move on. Plenty of fish in the sea. May seem extreme, but there are a lot of scams out there - better to just protect yourself and not take any risks. Even if the guy is just overly cautious in the end, I wouldn't see the point sticking around to find out what the deal is. I've dealt with shady car sellers and very honest ones (only bought from the honest ones). The difference is usually pretty darn obvious if you keep your eyes and ears open. When not sure, best to be cautious.

[photo]

No I didn't specify I wanted to see it only to verify that they have it.

There may have been miscommunication, as well, because perhaps the seller thought you wanted to take it. You might give the seller the benefit of the doubt, and if he refuses to even let you see a copy (perhaps the original is in a safe deposit box), then forget about it.

[GrimJack]

Look closely at the title just to make sure that it is the title to the car you are looking at. Back in my misspent youth there were people who offered titles to their cars as collateral for money in drug deals - one person I overheard talking about how she wanted to see the look on a friend's(?) face when he saw the titles were not for the cars (I think she got the titles from someone who worked in a junkyard - they were just random titles).