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How do you buy a car without a title?
I'm looking at a car on Craigslist, but the seller claims they do not have the title. This seems like a red flag. I don’t really understand titles though, so maybe it’s not. Can you buy a car without a title?
Matthew Macgugan · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Buying and selling a vehicle without a title is not legal in most states. The police won’t come and break down your door, but transferring the vehicle to your name will present many challenges.
When making the purchase, keep in mind that a missing vehicle title may indicate a few different things, like:
- The vehicle is stolen.
- The seller could be scamming you.
- The vehicle has mechanical issues.
- The vehicle is a salvage or flood-damaged car.
To find out what’s going on with the car you’re interested in, you should run a VIN check. You can do this for free online at VINCheck.com. The report will provide the vehicle’s history, including any instance of theft, all reported accidents, any documented service, and other info that can help you decide whether or not to go through with the purchase.
Of course, you’ll need the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) to do this. Ask the seller for the VIN, or snap a photo of it yourself when you look at the vehicle. The VIN is typically located on the driver’s side door jamb or where the windshield meets the dashboard.
While you’re searching Craigslist for deals on cars, use the
Jerry
app to find cheap car insurance quotes. Jerry will shop over 50 of the nation’s top providers in minutes to help you find a great policy at a great price.”View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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