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A cautionary tale!

MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
edited January 2014
You guys. I sold my old car to a guy a few months ago for cash. I thought I just had to sign the title over to him and everything would be fine.

Well, I guess he never took the title in to the DMV to transfer it into his name, because I just got notifications for parking tickets he acquired!

I have this guy's phone number, but I don't even have his last name any more, because I deleted the one thing I had it written in months after the sale when I figured it was old news.

If this guy gets in a crash or something, I could be majorly screwed! Somewhat freaking out right now and hoping when I get in touch with him he is cool about things.

Comments

  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    whoa! What else were you supposed to do?? Is there some step you missed? I don't know what else I'd do either, but sign the title over.

    YIKES! Did you call the DMV and ask what you can do in this situation?

  • MatthewMatthew
    Whoa! I didn’t know this was a thing. We sold our car to a weird lady Hillsdale when we moved. Can you check somehow?
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    It looks like the only real way to prevent this is to keep the license plates when you sell the car :(

    Hoping I hear back from the dude soon. I did find his last name at least...
  • flossy_log_ladyflossy_log_lady
    Oh man! Keep us posted on how this turns out. I had no idea. Never sold a car!
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    Update: I found our old texts and texted him. He claims that he just transferred the title because of a weird VIN issue. Maybe the ticket for expired registration prompted him to do it? Right now I just have to take his word for it. He says he's going to send me a copy of the new registration tomorrow and the new title when it arrives in the mail.

    Really hope he's being honest.
  • ManInTheIvoryTowerManInTheIvoryTower
    As a seller you are required to let the DMV know within 10 days of sale, normally there is a section of the title (on the back) you fill out and tear off and send in. Did you do this?

    DMV also provides a form for this, but I think it's only required if you are getting a replacement title as part of the transaction http://www.odot.state.or.us/forms/dmv/501fill.pdf
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    I can't remember! But I did do it online yesterday when this went down. It clearly states that your name remains on the record until the buyer transfers the title, though, so I don't think it really does anything.
  • 12341234
    Recorded ownership is weird.

    Everyone who owns a car should start a company, and then sell their car to the company, that way the company is the owner and you can just use it as a perk of being the president of the company. Name the company "dalas' SuperCar Inc." or something like that.
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    Whoa.
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    Ok, he sent me the new registration, which appears to have been done a couple weeks after he got the ticket. So he has new plates on the car and at least my life won't be ruined by anything he does in the future. I also now have more personal info on him in case anything goes weird.

    I guess I'll send payment for the tickets along with a letter explaining why I shouldn't be held accountable, but since he registered it after the ticket, they might still make me pay.
  • 12341234
    I think you should request a court date and explain this. I can't imagine a reasonable judge not understanding this.
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    judge: "Son don't you know how to legally sell an automobile in this great nation?"
    Dalas: "No your honor I don't"
    Judge: "Well then let this be a lesson to you. SIX MONTHS" [gavel bang] [Dalas collapses weeping]
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    That's what I assume would happen :(

    I'm going to do the option where I write a letter. I feel like going to court could be an almost $200 hassle. If they agree with my letter, cool. If not, it's the penalty I pay for making a mistake. Next time I'll know better.
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