Tips on Buying Cars: Title/Buying New Car, worse case scenario, motor vehicle department

Question
QUESTION: My girlfriend is going to buy a new car this weekend, and trade in her old car.  The title for the car was in her fathers name, and had it gifted to her to get it in her name (it is signed by her father and notorized).  Can she take this to the dealer to trade in her old car for the new one or does she need to get a brand new title?

ANSWER: Hi Keith,
Great question, did she ever have the title re-titled by the Motor Vehicle Department? Is her father going to be on the new purchase title? If no to both, most of the time dealerships will not accept a title that has not been processed from one owner and to the owner of the person trading the vehicle. Although, with a notarized signature, you may be okay in most states.

I wouldn't worry about it though. The dealership will probably not hold the deal up over the weekend if you're going into purchase. Worse case scenario...you will trade the vehicle and have to go to the nearby MVA and have the title put in her name.

Good luck!

Douglas Stahl

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok that's good to know!  Let me ask this...If he just signs the back of the title, and has his signature notorized, could a dealer take this for a trade since it's notorized and just fill in the mileage, their name, etc at the time of sale/trade?  Her father will not be at the sale and lives a distance apart from her.  She will not be transfering the current plates to the new car either.

Answer
Yes you should be fine. I personally would accept the free and clear title with a notarized signature. This protects the dealership if her Father would for some reason deny that he signed the title. And wanted his vehicle returned or the market value to replace his vehicle.

Again, proper documentation is the name of the game and should not slow you down.

Good luck,

Douglas