Buying/registering ATV with no paperwork

mrzuzzo

mrzuzzo

Well-known member
Been looking at getting an ATV during the lockdown.

Primary use is for hauling crap around the property but I'd also want to get a sticker on it so I can eventually take it to an OHV.

There are some decent deals to be had from people who've used them as ranch vehicles, have had them for a long time, but have no paperwork for them.

How hard/possible would it be to get a green sticker for something like this? The stuff I'm looking at is almost definitely not stolen. These are old, utility type ATVs that are for sale by people on farms.
 
Frame Maker

Frame Maker

Well-known member
Easy peasy...

First, get the VIN and use the DMV calculator to estimate transfer costs and back fees, or to see if its truly out of the DMV system:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/FeeCalculatorWeb/usedVehicleForm.do

Then have the seller fill out an application for duplicate or transfer of vehicle found here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/f1222e75-f3ab-4309-ae11-48832af0e72d/reg227.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID= (note: this will also require a physical inspection by a DMV and/or CHP officer to complete the transfer process)

If you have further questions about a specific vehicle, have the VIN handy and call the friendly DMV technician here: 800-777-0133
 
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Frame Maker

Frame Maker

Well-known member
Dmitriy said:
You'll have to do a lien sale...
Click to expand...

Lien sales are usually only done by businesses other than the registered owner, and only under certain circumstances such as collection of unpaid amounts or abandonment. A vehicle being sold by the lawful registered owner, but missing or lost paperwork, only requires an Application For Duplicate or Transfer of Title form.
 
mrzuzzo

mrzuzzo

Well-known member
Frame Maker said:
Easy peasy...

First, get the VIN and use the DMV calculator to estimate transfer costs and back fees, or to see if its truly out of the DMV system:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/FeeCalculatorWeb/usedVehicleForm.do

Then have the seller fill out an application for duplicate or transfer of vehicle found here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/connect/f1222e75-f3ab-4309-ae11-48832af0e72d/reg227.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID= (note: this will also require a physical inspection by a DMV and/or CHP officer to complete the transfer process)

If you have further questions about a specific vehicle, have the VIN handy and call the friendly DMV technician here: 800-777-0133
Click to expand...

What if there is no VIN, but only a serial number.
 
Frame Maker

Frame Maker

Well-known member
mrzuzzo said:
What if there is no VIN, but only a serial number.
Click to expand...

Interesting... what are you looking at? More information please.

In most cases a serial number and VIN would be considered the same. Motor vehicles are legally required to have a VIN if being sold as a complete and running vehicle. I did a lot of research on this exact topic many years ago when I was in the business of selling motorcycle frame kits.

The only motor vehicle that I can think of that would have a serial number and not a VIN might be a something constructed as a kit that has not yet been titled. In which case the DMV will want to see receipts for all major components used in the construction of the vehicle. Then the state will assign a VIN.
 
Map8

Map8

I want nothing
Staff member
Farm businesses can buy vehicles and not title or register them as long as they don't leave the farm. Farm businesses also get a significant sales tax break when purchasing the vehicle. ATVs still have a VIN and manufacturer's certificate of origin even when sold to a farming business (it's stamped on the frame); or at least thats how it worked when I worked for dealer several years ago. I can't imagine a situation where an ATV commercially available in California would not have a VIN, but I don't claim to know everything.

Used utility ATVs are not hard to find, I would look elsewhere. The air-cooled Suzuki and Honda 400s are really tough and easy to maintain. Hard to go wrong with those.
 
afmotorsports

afmotorsports

Well-known member
Ranch ATVs are typically beat to hell, rode hard and put away wet, with hardly any maintenance done. I bought a new Honda Rincon a couple of years ago because I found an insane deal out of state but if I were looking to buy a used utility ATV, I would find one that was used by a hunter. Those will typically have lower hours and are in much better mechanical shape than an ATV used on a ranch.
 
mrzuzzo

mrzuzzo

Well-known member
Frame Maker said:
Interesting... what are you looking at? More information please.

In most cases a serial number and VIN would be considered the same. Motor vehicles are legally required to have a VIN if being sold as a complete and running vehicle. I did a lot of research on this exact topic many years ago when I was in the business of selling motorcycle frame kits.

The only motor vehicle that I can think of that would have a serial number and not a VIN might be a something constructed as a kit that has not yet been titled. In which case the DMV will want to see receipts for all major components used in the construction of the vehicle. Then the state will assign a VIN.
Click to expand...

Recreative Industries Max IV

A few of them around, some older ones and some as new as '05.
 
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