Looking at buying a 2004 jeep cherokee. Carfax says that there "may be a loan or lien" on the vehicle, but the owner was surprised to hear this and said he had paid it off several years earlier. He does have the title in hand and there was no mention of a lien on the title or registration. What does tww think? Will there be evidence of a lien when I get my bank to sign the title over? What would you do in my situation?

10/8/2014 8:45:45 PM

Have the owner text/email you a pic of the title. It should list lein holders

10/8/2014 9:01:56 PM

I saw the title and there were no liens listed. The carfax can be seen below:

http://www.carfax.com/viewEmailReport.do?a=Mh%2Fu%2F27Yb23yjTPljGtv4g4RWGibRnZvEo4WHwswTs%2B%2FmwnsVZf9%2Fo7NiI2qvene&language=en

10/8/2014 9:17:13 PM

You need to submit a MVR 605A

DMV may still have a lien recorded, so you want to find out before you purchase the car, as it will cause an issue when you try to get the title in your name.

Depending on who the lien holder is, it could be really easy, or really hard, to get a lien release.

10/8/2014 9:49:34 PM

If there is a lien it should be noted on the title, the lien-holder should have signed off that it was satisfied on the title as well.

10/8/2014 9:50:27 PM

do the title transfer at the dmv plate office. they should be able to tell if there is a lien

10/8/2014 10:15:58 PM

Thanks guys. Will fill out the form and see what happens tomorrow.

10/9/2014 12:00:59 AM

just pay off the poor schlub's car loan

that'll be your good deed for the day

10/9/2014 6:54:47 PM