Bought this 1997 Corolla with 169k miles on it, got it for 650 dollars running and driving, but the title is missing and I am having a hard time replacing/getting a new one.
What should I do?
You retain a lawyer with experience in motor vehicle matters.
1 Like
Your location is unknown so how is anyone supposed to answer that question . What has your Department of Motor Vehicles said ?
1 Like
Please do not post your address or any personal info, just the state and maybe city/county is all that would be needed… 
1 Like
You can check for title information with the Corolla’s VIN. Here’s one online service. I did a web search for “VIN title cross reference “. There are others.
That is the key question. I would think that his state’s DMV would be much more authoritative on this topic than any of the forum members.
VinCheq , see if the car is stolen. What about the registration? Does everything match?
If not stolen does your receipt/bill of sale match the owner?
If from another state, you might get lucky.
I hope the car you bought isn’t stolen. The previous owner should be able to obtain the title at the DMV in their jurisdiction. If the seller attempts to excuse himself from obtaining the title, then I advise that you demand back your money and report the car to your local police department, or ask the DMV in your state what to do as previously advised.
Not enough information. Depending on your location, you could a) apply for a bond while you submit for a new title; b) hire a DMV specialist who is licensed by your state to handle most (but not all) DMV business; c) you are totally screwed and should never buy a car without a title.
Well, you don’t have title and are driving it. I’m sure you have insurance. Ins co will take your money but try and submit a claim and they find out you aren’t registered owner. Don’t really care about collision “coverage” but liability issue is bigger.
In other words the OP stole a car and is trying to ask us how to legally register the car?
Assuming the vehicle has no liens, and isn’t stolen, the easiest option would be to apply for a bonded title, assuming you live in a state which offers that. Otherwise, the problem you are going to run into is that the state will only issue a duplicate title to the person whose name is currently on the title (in their records). And they won’t provide you with this person’s contact information, so you can reach out to them.
Most likely, the person you bought the vehicle from bought it from the registered owner, and lost the title and contact information, which is why they sold it with just a bill of sale.
Now if there’s a lien, then you’re much worse off, because you won’t be able to use the bonded title process, and the state probably won’t disclose the lien amount or the contact information of the lienholder (and if the lien is from a bank or finance company, this company is not going to talk to you, citing “privacy concerns”).
If there is a lien, you will need to request a judicial hearing, and you will likely need an attorney, which would probably exceed the value of a used economy car.
At which point you should have said: “Thank you but no thanks!”
1 Like
Perhaps, although here in Arizona, one could do a lien search, and assuming no liens, one could decide if it makes sense to go through the bonded title process. For a low-value vehicle, posting a surety bond is not too expensive, and after 30 days and no claims against the title, you are able to register and drive the car. Or if this is too much effort, you could make an informed decision to not buy.
I have considered vehicles in the past, where this would be necessary, but I didn’t buy because the seller wouldn’t sell for a price that accounts for the effort and expense to legally register a vehicle once the chain of title has been broken. For $650–or even twice that–for a 1997 Corolla, assuming no liens, I would have had no problem buying with a bill of sale, and filing for a bonded title.