Vehicle title not signed-does that still work for scrapping?

[250man]

Its a long story, but I have a vehicle that I need to get rid of. I have the original title in hand, but the owner did not sign it. I am not sure if I am going to be able to get in touch with them to sign it. And since its an out of state vehicle, that means I'll need to get it inspected to get a Ohio title in my name.

I've never scrapped a car before, but the word I have heard is you need a title when you take it in, presumably in my name, right?



Thanks!

[brandon]

ask your yard if you can cut it in half.

[jghilino]

Nope as long as you have the title it is usually good enough, you dont need to transfer it to your name. The title should be signed though by the person/s named on the title. I hope you can find the person named on the title.

There will also be problems if there is a lien on the title.

[sledge]

I second jghilino's comment, You don't have to sign title nor transfer it into your name, and all my yards here in Indiana, all they do is check the title to the VIN on the car being hauled in. If you have title- it is like having the keys so to speak- If you want to be doubly safe- run a VIN check, print it out and bring it in with you to the yard with title, that way you can show it is not stolen, you have the vehicle, presumably the key, and the title.

[jghilino]

I have never asked whether the title even needs to be signed, i was just assuming it does. The main thing is having the title. I am still cutting cars in half that i buy without titles. Even if you have the title someone still couldve reported the car as stolen so they can make an insurance claim on it. There is alot of dishonest people out there That sell stolen cars or report cars as stolen after they sold it to you. The paper trail is your only defense. So its best to keep good records.

[JohnC4X4]

I just sign them when needed
No one knows what Joe Car owners signature looks like

[cpelton]

the law is the title must match the the person scrapping the car and title signed, or you can do a mv-35 at the yard and claim ownership of the car or truck with a valid government issued id. example license. most scrap yards pay the processing fee. when a title does not match the id a mv 35 is attached. but this not valid for tow truck company's or drivers and they should know the correct procedures. this best to my knowledge in NY

[sledge]

All great points. As far as paper trails. I keep a copy of EVERYTHING:
1. Title
2. Bill of Sale
3. VIN Check
4. Registration (If still in the glovebox)

It may be overkill: But Having the paperwork is much better than NOT having proof of some part of that vehicle transaction- months or years down the road. I heard a story about a guy here that was given a car by a property owner, he had rights as abandoned property.. 2 years after the car went to the crusher he got arrested- apparently some people "saw him take it- steal it" He didn't have proof he was given the car, and it took him $2k to fight it- if he had just kept good records and copies of everything- Bill of sale with "property owners" signature with Drivers License # on it- it would have been open and shut.

[PartTimeScrapper]

In colorado you just have to do a bill of sale at the scrap yard no title needed. I had the title to the last car I took in and they didnt want it.

[jghilino]

the law is the title must match the the person scrapping the car

not in kansas or missouri or any state i know of

[skylinejack]

In Louisiana if it's older than 10 years you don't need a title. Laws different in every state tho. But a bill of sale goes a long way if something should come back on you. Always keep good paperwork on everything. Especially scrap related stuff!

[jghilino]

here it has to be atleast 20 years old and you have to have a bill of sale for it, if you meet both of those criteria you dont need a title

[JohnC4X4]

In Ma >> Same as >> In Louisiana if it's older than 10 years you don't need a title

And if the vehicle is less then 10 years old, I need the title but does not matter who's name the title is in
Or if it has been signed
as long as the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the vehicle >> Good to go!

[cummins]

in ontario all you need is your drivers lic. but they want the vin, so if it comes up stolen your in the crap house...i always ask for the owner ship if they don't have it cause its been in the barn for 20 years just ask to take a pic of the front and back of they guys/gals drivers lic...so if i get arrested for scraping stolen cars i can pass the sh!t storm down stream

[Libertytow]

the legal answer is it does not have to be signed i title is proof of ownership the signature just realease liens or encumbrances

last year i scrapped 641 cars about 1/3rd didn"t have titles or signatures maybe 1 was in my name

[EcoSafe]

states are different. some states font require a title if the car is a certain age.

BUT: let me give you 20 years or so experience in dealing with cars.

study your state laws.

cover your but* in every way

one 350 dollar car is not worth the hassle if some one gets a wild hair up their as*

I spent 3 days in jail and year going to court over a completely legit deal on 8 cars here in Florida. the $6000 I spent on lawyer fees was almost 10 times what the cars were worth.

police and investigators are not lawyers and dont know the laws, therefore they do what they do best arrest , investigate and do their dam*est to send you to jail.

hypothetically if I knew some one who had that car I would first tell them to pull it on the street and let the local law worry about it or part out what I could chop up the rest and sell it as iron.

dont do it again you Will get caught and if you dont have a good EXPENSIVE lawyer you WILL go to jail Just my .02

[VERYOLDGUY]

In TN it is called an open title. It is illegal.

[seexychickadee]

Hi I have a question about a 1990 Buick with two names are on the title. I live in sc does anyone know how it works in sc. Can one person scrap it without the other person? Please and thank you in advance.

[matador]

I can't comment for South Carolina law, but in Wyoming, that would be illegal. To sell or transfer a vehicle, everyone on the title must sign it over (At least here).

Now, in divorce proceedings, that gets pretty hairy!

[seexychickadee]

No issues like that the other person has already signed it. just wondering if ima have to pay to transfer title to just one name and pay fee at dmv before junkyard will take it or if both ppl would just have to take it to yard?