So I'm buying a van tomorrow from a family in Chapel Hill. Through my sources I did a little background check on the vehicle and found there is a lien out on it. I just spoke with the lady and she said she has the title and there are no liens out on it. Tomorrow I am going to test drive and if it runs fine, I will meet her at the DMV on Monday. I know the DMV has notaries that work there. But if the lady really does have the title and it gets switched to me, will the DMV know there is a lien out or will I be stuck dealing with the chaos? OR can my source just be old, which I doubt.

11/7/2008 6:35:46 PM

Quote :

"I know the DMV has notaries that work there."

Good. Then as a security measure, write up a small contract that says something like

"I hereby sell this car to _____(name) and assume all responsibility for any existing liens, loans, or monetary obligations on the vehicle with VIN#________ up until ____ (date)."


both sign, and then get it notarized. You'll have a rock solid case if you ever have to go to small claims court.

11/7/2008 6:45:34 PM

very easy to find out if you're at the dmv, they can bring it up since the lienholder will be on the title, if the person has the title there shouldnt be a bank lien on it, unless they put it up as collateral

if it was recently payed off it can take 60-90 days for that to update on carfax, etc.

11/7/2008 6:47:59 PM

yea, i'm guessing when we go to the DMV Monday whatever lien (if still on the vehicle) will surface and we can handle it then

11/8/2008 10:17:54 AM