Buying a car in Arizona

[Jetfixr320]

Anyone from Arizona or have experience with buying a car there?

I'm looking a Mid 60's car out there. They have owned it for about 35 years. It has been off the road for approx 10 years or more.
The title is missing and they are supposed to be seeking a replacement title.

Will the title need to be notarized when they sign it over?

Will I need to go to the DMV in Arizona prior to hauling it back to Indiana?


Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[kochevy67]

The dealing I had with the purchase of a car last year was smooth I would however make sure the car is in their name before purchasing it. In the event there is a problem at least you can contact the registered legal owner.

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I went to the Illinois DMV, no need to go to Az.

[djorgensen3]

I believe that once a title is acquired, all they have to do is sign the title over to you. You will then get it notarized at your DMV of choice and change title to your name. I think that is how it works. It's been awhile since I have needed to do that. To get the title, they will have to file for an abandoned title. If it hasn't been registered in the last 10 years, the information leaves the system and goes into archive. If they can find evidence of the ownership, then they can print out a new title. If they cannot find any evidence, then you have to file for an abandoned title and buy a bond for it. They will inspect the vehicle and then complete the necessary paperwork and send you to a bonding company. After you have acquired the bond, you can go back to the DMV and get a new title in your name. I would use a satellite company rather than the actual DMV. It will go much faster that way. Don't take this as gospel but it should be close to what you have to do.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

If they have had it on the road just over 10 years ago, they should still be able to go through the records and find that they are the last registered owner. I've had that happen to me on my own car, from sitting so long unregistered. They took a few hours to look it up, and found everything matched, and all was good. I had the title still, but they in your case they can still look it up the same way.

Alternatively, they can apply for a bonded title as djorgensen3 mentioned above, did that for a 77 T/A before. It'll cost a little more, as they charge a percentage of the value of the car, so hopefully it's not too much $$$. Abandoned is similar, though I've never done it that way before.

[vintageracer]

I have purchased many cars in Arizona in person and over the phone without going to Arizona. Your BIGGEST issue is going to be IF the seller can get a duplicate title for the vehicle. The current "Lost" title will need to be registered in their name to apply for a lost title OR they must get a Power of Attorney for a Motor Vehicle signed/Notarized by the legal titled owner listed on the current title (In this situation OLD title) appointing a person of the legal titled owners choosing to be their "Agent" with the legal right to act as their legal agent and apply for a lost/duplicate title on that owners behalf.

Arizona is a Notary state therefore the SELLER or appointed agent through a Power Of Attorney must appear in person in front of the "Paid Liar" (notary) and "Notarize" the seller's signature on the title for title transfer in the State of Arizona. That's what a Notary does is they verify the identity of the person signing the legal document and therefore "Notarize" in this case the seller's signature verify they are that actual person and in this situation the legal owner of the vehicle with good right to sell the car. The seller can go to their bank and get this service for free in most instances. You will benefit from this "Notarization" when you get the the title and sign it which saves you the having to fool with a Notary.

Remember a Notary CANNOT legally "Notarize" the seller's or their agents signature without that SELLER/AGENT physically appearing before that notary so having the title "Notarized" in your state of residence when you get home would be NOT be legal and therefore a Notary could not legally provide the Notary service for you unless they are a friend who doesn't care about their fiduciary responsibilities conferred upon them and their Notary seal.

IDEALLY you want the SELLER'S signature "Notarized" in their state of residence that way nothing can ever come back as the Notary will have a record of their Notary service where the seller appeared before then and signed the title.

Having said all this some States do not require title "Notarization" even though there is spot on the title to do so. Tennessee is such a state. Notarization of a vehicle title is not required for in-state or out of state title transfers. Check your state of residence registration requirements to determine what documentation YOU need to transfer an "Out of State" title to your name in your state of residence.

YOU as the BUYER do NOT need to go the Arizona DMV title office or the Notary in Arizona if you don't want to and/or are shipping the car with no plans visit Arizona see or transact the purchase of the car in person. You just want the seller's signature "Notarized" in their state of residence.

IF you are private individual (None Licensed Dealer) buying a vehicle in Arizona from an Arizona LICENSED DEALER OR AUCTION you MUST ship the vehicle out of state with a third party hired transport company to avoid paying sales tax and registration fees in Arizona. If you take physical possession in Arizona and drive the car you will be required to register the vehicle in Arizona and pay sales tax in Arizona. Once again this applies if buying from a licensed dealer or at one of the vehicle auctions.

Just make sure the SELLER gives you THE CURRENT LEGAL TITLE to the vehicle. Not sure it's the CURRENT legal title to the vehicle and want to confirm the title is the current and legal title???? BEFORE YOU PAY FOR THE CAR Call the Arizona DMV in this situation and tell them you are considering purchasing this vehicle. Give them the VIN number for the vehicle to look up and ask them for the current title number OR provide them the title number on the copy of the title the seller has sent to you for review prior to purchase and is going to transfer to you upon purchase. BOTH TITLE NUMBERS MUST MATCH. If not the title the seller is trying to pawn off on you is not the current LEGAL TITLE for the vehicle that title is WORTHLESS!

It is also VERY IMPORTANT to ask the DMV clerk on the phone if there are any current LIENS listed on the title for this vehicle. IF there are liens noted on the title those liens MUST be satisfied (Paid Off) to get a CLEAR TITLE for that vehicle.

Why is the LIEN issue so important???

With so many Title Pawn loan sharks out there many cheats (Sellers) will "Pawn" the current title to the loan shark for money which allows the loan shark to record their lien on the title if they choose to do so. However the dishonest owner/seller who just "Pawned" the title will go to the DMV and apply for a duplicate title the same day they "Pawned" the current title and BEFORE the loan shark can record their lien therefore the lying and cheating seller has what STILL appears to be a GOOD duplicate title in their name with NO liens that they can hand to a buyer. Ever wonder why there are so many vehicles on Craigslist being sold with NO TITLE? THE SELLER PAWNED THE TITLE. There are not that many people who "Lost their title" to the vehicle they are selling. NOW you know why!

One local guy here got caught doing this after getting 6 different duplicate titles in one day for the same car he was "Pawning" the title to all over town at different loan sharks. Got to give him credit it was a interesting idea UNTIL he got caught!

Here is a link that shows you that Arizona is a title "Notary" state.

http://www.dmv.org/az-arizona/title-transfers.php

http://www.azdot.gov/mvd/vehicleservices/Title/overview

[Jetfixr320]

Wow!

All good info. Thank you Gents.

We will see what happens.