Buying bike before title transferred to previous owner?

[zammer]

DMV guru's:

In today's California DMV clusterfuck, it's taken months and previous owner still hasn't received title. He's claiming we just need a bill of sale + statement of facts and it will be sent to me instead.

As wait times are getting pretty long, what's the story with selling a bike that you don't have the title in hand for yet from the DMV?

 

[Holeshot]

Use this:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2020/06/reg227.pdf

You don't need a title to transfer.

 

[wilit]

Use this:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2020/06/reg227.pdf

You don't need a title to transfer.

Correct, you don't need a title to transfer it, but if the bike has a loan against it (why the owner doesn't posses the title), you're going to need to have the loan holder sign that Reg 227 form. I'm going through this exact situation right now.

Zammer, you can do the title transfer without the loan holder signing that Reg 227 form but you'll need to do what's called a bonded title. It's going to cost you money because you're going to need to secure a surety bond against the title. They generally charge $10 per $1000 of vehicle value.

 

[scootergmc]

DMV guru's:

In today's California DMV clusterfuck, it's taken months and previous owner still hasn't received title. He's claiming we just need a bill of sale + statement of facts and it will be sent to me instead.

As wait times are getting pretty long, what's the story with selling a bike that you don't have the title in hand for yet from the DMV?

Is the previous owner just telling you he transferred it or did you see the paperwork/emails to confirm? I've done two transfers (online) and both were done within 1.5 months each, and that was while DMV offices were still closed. I've also done a historical vehicle transfer/application after they opened but that entire transaction goes to different folks in Sacramento and we're still waiting for the title/plates (that's been about a month).

Regardless, it can still be done as the others have stated. I've not needed a surety bond in the past, but as a rule I don't buy anything without title in hand anymore. And it won't be "sent" to you instead, a new transaction/title will have to be conducted/generated.

 

[ScottRNelson]

When I bought motorcycle number 3 in my long history of buying motorcycles, the seller didn't have the title and came up with some excuse of getting it to me in a few days. Then he disappeared. I never did get the title to that bike.

I also bought one dirt bike a long time ago with no title, but I was able to do something with the DMV to get it officially registered in my name.

I will never buy another motorcycle without the title properly signed over to me at time of purchase. If the seller doesn't have it, I ain't buying. :x And I always make sure to have a separate bill of sale too, since I had an issue once with a modification on the title that I hadn't noticed.

 

[bobl]

When I bought motorcycle number 3 in my long history of buying motorcycles, the seller didn't have the title and came up with some excuse of getting it to me in a few days. Then he disappeared. I never did get the title to that bike.

I also bought one dirt bike a long time ago with no title, but I was able to do something with the DMV to get it officially registered in my name.

I will never buy another motorcycle without the title properly signed over to me at time of purchase. If the seller doesn't have it, I ain't buying. :x And I always make sure to have a separate bill of sale too, since I had an issue once with a modification on the title that I hadn't noticed.

I feel the same. No title, no deal. You can find yourself in possession of a stolen bike, one that can't be registered, or one with a large lien on it. I would rather fix a transmission than faulty paperwork. Dealing with the DMV is sketchy at best in these situations.

 

[redtail]

If the seller doesn't have it, I ain't buying. :x And I always make sure to have a separate bill of sale too, since I had an issue once with a modification on the title that I hadn't noticed.

This so true! :thumbup

There are too many pitfalls, if the previous unregistered owner had any violations against the vehicle, those too could be problematic. You don't need the headache.

 

[zammer]

Use this:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2020/06/reg227.pdf

You don't need a title to transfer.

It was a weird situation - guy bought bike from a private dealer, still has paper plates. Bought it outright (no lien) but said the dealer did the paperwork for the title transfer and neither plates nor title still hasn't shown up yet 6 weeks later.

Seller seems trustworthy - but never had this situation happen before, always gone by Scott's advice. Can I file that reg 227 at a AAA?

 

[auntiebling]

DMV guru's:

In today's California DMV clusterfuck, it's taken months and previous owner still hasn't received title. He's claiming we just need a bill of sale + statement of facts and it will be sent to me instead.

As wait times are getting pretty long, what's the story with selling a bike that you don't have the title in hand for yet from the DMV?

you could go to a private DMV service to do this, or if you're both AAA members go there and it shoujd be over and done with in one visit. you'd even have plates in your hand from AAA (maybe the private places too, not sure)

 

[Holeshot]

It was a weird situation - guy bought bike from a private dealer, still has paper plates. Bought it outright (no lien) but said the dealer did the paperwork for the title transfer and neither plates nor title still hasn't shown up yet 6 weeks later.

Seller seems trustworthy - but never had this situation happen before, always gone by Scott's advice. Can I file that reg 227 at a AAA?

Makes sense. Paperwork can take time and small dealers suck at it (I do)...

Here's what I'd do: Call my reg service @ B&C Registration services; (707) 206-0579. They can tell you exactly what to do and help you register it. Yes, it'll cost $50, but it's well worth It and you won't end up wondering. They also may be able to lookup the status of the title too and let you know if things look wonky.

Pro-tip: ALWAYS get a REG262 signed WITH Power of Attorney signed off. Everyone should always do this in for CA transactions.

 

[zammer]

Makes sense. Paperwork can take time and small dealers suck at it (I do)...

Here's what I'd do: Call my reg service @ B&C Registration services; (707) 206-0579. They can tell you exactly what to do and help you register it. Yes, it'll cost $50, but it's well worth It and you won't end up wondering. They also may be able to lookup the status of the title too and let you know if things look wonky.

Pro-tip: ALWAYS get a REG262 signed WITH Power of Attorney signed off. Everyone should always do this in for CA transactions.

So this is guidance/service AAA wouldn't be able to provide? Also, closed labor day?

 

[zammer]

Pro-tip: ALWAYS get a REG262 signed WITH Power of Attorney signed off. Everyone should always do this in for CA transactions.

Never done this. Care to explain?

 

[Holeshot]

So this is guidance/service AAA wouldn't be able to provide? Also, closed labor day?

I have AAA, but they're next to useless in transfers that are one standard deviation from what's normal. IME and IMO.

Never done this. Care to explain?

a REG262 is a CA bill of sale (official) and may be needed with a transfer. The POA is the most important part as it gives the ability to sign in lieu of the seller's signature. If you need the seller's signature on a document, you can use your own signature. In a non-standard transaction, a REG262 can be a nice thing to have. I always get one.

Luck be with ya.

 

[moto-rama]

....

I will never buy another motorcycle without the title properly signed over to me at time of purchase. If the seller doesn't have it, I ain't buying. :x And I always make sure to have a separate bill of sale too, since I had an issue once with a modification on the title that I hadn't noticed.

This Xs 1000

I spent 15 years in retail/wholesale auto biz, and learned the hard way that a Signed/Dated Title is what gives you ownership.

Sure there are exceptions, but trust me, Scott is right.

 

[Johndicezx9]

There are headaches...

There are headACHES...

There are HEADaches...

And there are HEADACHES.

Title, transfer, and reg complications are in that last one.

Good luck! :thumbup

 

[Holeshot]

This Xs 1000

I spent 15 years in retail/wholesale auto biz, and learned the hard way that a Signed/Dated Title is what gives you ownership.

Sure there are exceptions, but trust me, Scott is right.

There is a paperless title transfer form, however a buyer may neglect to confirm the title is free and clear of any lien holders. I won't purchase a vehicle without making sure title liens are satisfied. There are a couple reliable ways to do this. None are particularly simple, but I don't trust sellers to pay off the asset with my check.

 

[erensi]

DMV guru's:

In today's California DMV clusterfuck, it's taken months and previous owner still hasn't received title. He's claiming we just need a bill of sale + statement of facts and it will be sent to me instead.

As wait times are getting pretty long, what's the story with selling a bike that you don't have the title in hand for yet from the DMV?

I did this once with a scooter. I filled out the online form but never went into the DMV and pay reg fees and whatnot. I actually rode it around for a year not knowing that I forgot to complete the process and it was still in the last owner's name. When I sold it, DMV wouldn't let me transfer the title until I got his signature so I had to track him down and mail him the transfer forms for him to sign and mail back. Then I took those forms into the DMV and got it straightened out, then I sent the updated forms to the new guy. It was an ordeal.

One thing that also sucks is that you can't make any mistakes on the form, or you have to fill out another correction form. So don't make any mistakes on the form(s).