What is a title?

Route666 · Dec 3, 2005

I know it's not Mustang specific (I think) but I'm from the other side of the planet and when I have bought cars it has been enough to have a piece of paper with seller and buyer details (I put down driver's license numbers too), amount of $, and vehicle identification numbers on it.

So I've been researching importing a car from the states and I need a bill of sale, which I guess is that same bit of paper, and I need a title as well. Also the title needs to clear customs, otherwise it is going to be even more expensive to ship it over - a clause the shipping people have.

Someone please explain what it is.

EDIT: And what would cause customs to not clear it?

Thanks!
Brad

Ronstang · Dec 3, 2005

A title is no more than an official statement of ownership that is issued by the state in which you reside. If you purchase a car from the dealer you get a title that shows the lending institution as a lien holder against your vehicle which means technically they own it....once paid off you receive a title with only your name on it with no lien holders.

iskwezm · Dec 3, 2005

is it the same as a pink slip???

Route666 · Dec 3, 2005

So will it be likely that someone I buy a classic Mustang off will have the title for it? If not, how can you get one?

Thanks for the quick help so far!

iskwezm · Dec 3, 2005

over here we have to go to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles and both parties have to sign a paper,the seller is releasing it and the buyer is assuming resposibilty.

Ronstang · Dec 3, 2005

If the seller cannot provide you a clear title upon surrender of funds then considering you are in Australia I would not buy the car. You probably should use a buying agent on this end to insure you do not get screwed....paying to have it converted to right hand drive is going to be expensive enough you don't want to add any other hassles to the process.

Route666 · Dec 3, 2005

I don't have to convert it, and so I'm not going to. Law permits 30+YO cars to be left original, except lighting, which is minor in relation. I would like to change gears with my left hand, it just seems clunky the other way, but I'd rather the car be not chopped up.

See the thing is, there's this guy here, who knows some people over there and he frequents there himself, and imports cars, and sells them. However he is also offering the shipping serving now, and with the conversion rate plus shipping plus tax plus customs could work out quite a bit cheaper than to buy a car off of him. The cars he imports are for the main part project cars, which could be drivers, but are a little run-down.

I'd like to start with a nice car, then it won't just be sitting in the garage half my life while I build it.

I am worried about how the whole deal would take place and will probably buy locally in the end, but hey, if I can work out a better alternative I'll go for it.

reenmachine · Dec 3, 2005

OK -- there are exceptions in some cases, but this is generally true: in the U.S., every car has a title, which is a legal document defining who the legal owner of a vehicle. It is required to get registration, etc. When someone other that the person in possession of the car, such as a bank, really owns it, this information is noted on the title as a "lein". In order for someone to sell a car, they must have a "clear title", meaning that there are no leins against it. There is typically a place on the back of the title where the person whose name it's in can sign it to make it "live", at which point it is transferrable. A live title is like a check after you've endorsed the back -- it belongs to whoever's holding it. So, when you're buying a car from the States, you want to make sure it has a clear title, which you can do by having the seller fax you a copy. You can then call that state's Department of Motor Vehicles (the number should be on the title somewhere) and confirm its validity. This is probably what customs will do on your end as well to make sure they're not receiving a stolen car.

My dad ships cars overseas from his shop fairly frequently, so he could answer your questions much better than I can. The shop is K.A.R. Auto Group and their number is 614.294.4433 if you want to ask advice. Ask for George.

KiwiGT · Dec 3, 2005

reenmachine said:
OK -- there are exceptions in some cases, but this is generally true: in the U.S., every car has a title, which is a legal document defining who the legal owner of a vehicle. It is required to get registration, etc. When someone other that the person in possession of the car, such as a bank, really owns it, this information is noted on the title as a "lein". In order for someone to sell a car, they must have a "clear title", meaning that there are no leins against it. There is typically a place on the back of the title where the person whose name it's in can sign it to make it "live", at which point it is transferrable. A live title is like a check after you've endorsed the back -- it belongs to whoever's holding it. So, when you're buying a car from the States, you want to make sure it has a clear title, which you can do by having the seller fax you a copy. You can then call that state's Department of Motor Vehicles (the number should be on the title somewhere) and confirm its validity. This is probably what customs will do on your end as well to make sure they're not receiving a stolen car.

My dad ships cars overseas from his shop fairly frequently, so he could answer your questions much better than I can. The shop is K.A.R. Auto Group and their number is 614.294.4433 if you want to ask advice. Ask for George.

I live in New Zealand and bought a 66 GT Fastback Mustang from K.A.R. Mustang. I decided to purchase from a reputable dealer, for the same title reasons outlined in these threads. I can thoroughly reccomend George Waydo and K.A.R, wonderful pepole to deal with,and thoroughly professional. I would buy another K.A.R in a heartbeat !

Route666 · Dec 3, 2005

Thank you Reen and KiwiGT, that's the kind of confidence-inspiring what-to-do information I need. I will get in touch with your father at some point, thank you for the connection.

So it sounds like a title is like a deed to a house.

reenmachine · Dec 3, 2005

KiwiGT said:
I live in New Zealand and bought a 66 GT Fastback Mustang from K.A.R. Mustang. I decided to purchase from a reputable dealer, for the same title reasons outlined in these threads. I can thoroughly reccomend George Waydo and K.A.R, wonderful pepole to deal with,and thoroughly professional. I would buy another K.A.R in a heartbeat !

Hey thanks! I'll pass along the kind words to the ol' man!

Route666 said:
So it sounds like a title is like a deed to a house.

Yes, I was going to make that analogy but I figured maybe you don't have those down there either!

Route666 · Dec 3, 2005

reenmachine said:
Yes, I was going to make that analogy but I figured maybe you don't have those down there either!

No we don't, the way we handle it is like Eddie Murphy's impression of his father in delirious (or raw, can't remember) - "This is mah house, and if you don like it, get da F out!" LOL

No, we have deeds.

What is a title?

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