How does one register a car that is not in the system?

[timster]

Saw an online add for a car that was listed as a parts car. So I emailed the seller, and asked why, had it been wrecked, problems with the paperwork, or some other reason it is a parts car. Was told the car had not been registered for 18 years when they bought the car. They bought the car 2 years ago and only got a bill of sale from the previous owner. When they tried to register the car with a bill of sale, was told by the DMV the car was not in the system. This is in California, but have seen cars listed this way in other places as well, with the same reason given. This particular car is an 80's car so would need to pass smog. The seller also told me since the car is out of the DMV database due to 20 some years of not having been registered, there are no smog records on the car either.

So, is there a legitimate and reasonably cost effective way to get such a car registered, or it now only good for parts? Does it depend on whichever DMV or even whichever clerk at the DMV one happens to get? Would I maybe need to get in registered in another state and then try to transfer it back to CA? All these barn find cars, a lot of them don't have paperwork anymore, seems like a similar situation to me, other than the smog records crap.

[nastyn8]

It will have to pass smog, that is based on the year of the vehicle. The VIN will also have to be verified by someone licensed for that, the DMV can do that. Then the vehicle can be reentered into the system

[NJSPEEDER]

Since there is no system record that should also be an indication that there has been no negative registry of the vin# for the same period of time (stolen, wrecked, liens.....)

Every state has a process for recovering a missing or lost title. Usually involves getting a vehicle title search, some sort of notification or attempt to notify the last owner of record, and some sort of waiting period. Often it costs a few hundred bucks and takes a few months. Outside of that you can likely get more immediate gratification from a title reconstruction service. They cost more but the results can be in your hands in the hours to days range instead of weeks to months that most states take.

-Tim

[DSL]

You can register the car as a "Non Op" for the time being until you restore it then you'll have to fully register the car

[bs46488]

I see your in California....I'll just start by saying I'm sorry.

I think the best way to address this issue is to go to one of those DMV services places. I went to the DMV to register my first project vehicle and contemplated ending my life after that experience.

I purchased a second vehicle and went down the street to my local DMV Service shop and was very pleased with their service (and also walked out of there in about 25 mins vs. the 3+ hours at the DMV).

In both my case my car had been "out of the system", but trust me...the DMV was able to locate the last record back to 1982 and make me pay back registration fees and penalties for not keeping it current. The Bill of Sale thing is the least of your worries.

BTW...lets see/hear some details of the car. I don't know too many 80's vehicles that I would jump through these types of hoops for.

[class67]

NO worries, I did it with my car and had no hassles...I just had a cop stop by my house to verify the VIN and took it to the DMV. the hardest part of the process was I had to petition to keep my original plates on the car, which only took a few weeks.

[nokones]

Not a problem in California. I did it with a car that has been out of the system well over 28 years and I didn't even have the Title. If you can't smog it than have it registered to you as a Planned Non-Operation Vehicle. You will have to have the VIN verified either by DMV or any Police Officer. You can download that DMV form before you go to DMV. It was a piece of cake.

[timster]

Thanks for the replies. Called the CA DMV, only had to wait on hold for 20 minutes, probably a record for speedy service! They said it is possible to register, and gave a couple of methods I could use depending on if I could get the coperation of last known previous owner.

[timster]

BTW...lets see/hear some details of the car. I don't know too many 80's vehicles that I would jump through these types of hoops for.

Don't want to let the cat out of the bag yet. Or have someone take it out from under me. Or who knows, might get laughed off the board!

[groho]

Get a smog test to pass on an 80's car in CA is a pain. You better have ALL the pieces and parts to make it happen. CA has a two part SMOG inspection, visual and sniff test. You can pass the sniff test, but fail the visual inspection if you don't have ALL the required hardware for that year and vehicle. Hardware means check-valves, smog pumps, sensors, vacuum modules, etc, etc. I know of a person who failed a visual inspection because the vacuum check valve on his recently purchased (reputable auction house) Trans Am was incorrect. He played hell trying to locate the correct colored value and having it re-inspected. CA smog and BAR (bureau of automotive repair) is something you don't mess with because you will lose. The non-op is only good as a temporary fix while you work on the car. Non-op means you don't drive it.

[Build-It-Break-It]

I see your in the high desert, contact "Karens car clearing". She'll take care of all the dmv paperwork and only charges $35. I've used her 5 times already in the past to buy cars out of the dmv system and she knocked it out fast. Well worth the money to avoid the dmv lines. I have AAA and they'll do the paperwork as well.

[timster]

Thanks. I have been reading good things about AAA being able to help. I will check out Karen's car cleaning as well.

[SD67]

This can be done but this would need to be a great deal on an 80's car to go through the trouble, so consider the potential for paying back fees as well. I second the use of a licensed verifier that will come to your home instead of using a police officer. Highway Patrol/Police officers have much more valuable things to do and unless you know one, not really responsive in our area for these types of things. Also, I use AAA for all my DMV issues, well worth the annual membership fees instead of going to the DMV office.