Buying a car with a lost title

[grant(urismo)]

Has anyone had experience getting a title for a vehicle that doesn't have one?
I want to find out how difficult it may be here in VA before I commit to buying this car or start jumping through the DMV's hoops.

Any help is apprciated.

Thanks, Grant

[CoryB]

It sounds like the current owner better do it.

Straight from the horses mouth:

http://www.dmvnow.com/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/replacement.asp

Replacement titles are issued for vehicles if a title is lost, stolen or mutilated. Substitute titles are issued when information on the previously issued title needs to be changed. To obtain a replacement title:

    * Order online
    * Call 1-888-337-4782 or
    * Bring your current registration card and your driver's license or ID card to your local customer service center.
    * Complete an "Application for Supplemental Lien and Transfer Liens or Replacement and Substitute Titles" (VSA-66). All owners must sign to give authorization unless the application is being submitted by the primary lienholder.

      NOTE: If the owner of the vehicle is deceased, the surviving legal heir, executor or administrator of the estate can complete and sign the VSA-66 on behalf of the deceased. You must also submit the certified or notarized death certificate and one of the following documents: a notarized copy of the will; completed "Statement of Authority to Assign Title" (VSA-24) as proof of legal heir; a court-issued document or will appointing the executor or administrator; or any other court-issued document appointing an executor or administrator.

    * Pay the replacement title fee.

If your vehicle is free of liens, you will receive a replacement title for your vehicle. If your vehicle originally had a lien on it, you will need to show that the lien has been satisfied. If the lien has not been satisfied, the replacement title will be sent to the lienholder of record.

Note: Once a replacement title is issued all prior titles are invalid.

[grant(urismo)]

whoa you are fast cory!

the current owner does not have the title and from what I understand never did. they bought the car at auction earlier this year with no title.

thank you for the info - grant
(and yes it is another miata)

[Mugamini]

I would suggest doing a CarFax report first to find out who the title owner is.. or you may have to go though Salvage titleing. Being the owner and doing the replacement Title is easy. Which i have done before. Never really done it when i wasnt the owner.

[grant(urismo)]

Thank you for your responses - Looks like I won't need to try this. The seller decided not to sell this car, but to turn it into a project car for himself.

[ahamos]

The seller decided not to sell this car, but to turn it into a project car for himself.

Which begs the question:  what were you going to do with it?

[grant(urismo)]

umm...V8 miata project car

my fiance wasn't excited about having 4 cars in our driveway. so i'll concentrate on the miata i already have.

i certainly don't want the county showing up telling me to hide any inoperable vehicles