What Is the Title of a Car, A car’s title is a legal document that certifies vehicle ownership and contains other crucial data, such as the VIN (VIN). A title could be a physical paper document or an electronic file.
Definition and Example of a Car Title
A document that certifies a car’s ownership is called the title. You lack ownership documentation of your vehicle without it.
- Alternate name: Certificate of title
Although the information on a car title differs slightly depending on the state where the title was issued, the 17-character VIN is always included.
The title will also generally include the following:
- Year, make, and model or body type of the vehicle
- Vehicle color
- Odometer reading
- The date on which the odometer reading was done
- Owner or owners of the vehicle
- Owner’s address
- The date on which the title was issued
A title number, the vehicle’s weight, and the number of cylinders in the engine. The engine’s number, the type of gasoline it uses, and the license plate number may also be included.
Some states demand that salvage or flood damage information appears on a vehicle’s title, while others do not.
The signature of one or more state officials in charge of motor vehicles is required on a car title revenue collection.
How Does the Title of a Car Work?
The title of a car verifies who owns it, which is important if:
- Your vehicle is stolen
- You want to sell your car
- Your car is impounded
- The vehicle was used in a crime before you owned it or after you sold it
The title, registration, and license plate procedures are nearly always handled by the dealer. When you purchase a new car from them. The cost of this service will be revealed as part of the purchase price and will be charged.
You will have to manage this procedure on your own if you purchase a car from a private seller.
If you have a car loan, the loan provider will typically keep the title certificate until the automobile is paid off. Sometimes the title is forwarded to the buyer who is now in possession of the vehicle. But the title will still bear the name of the lender.
At the beginning of September 2020, 24 states took part in an electronic lien and title (ELT) processing program. These systems enable state motor vehicle agencies to provide digital titles to car owners. And lenders to share information about liens on vehicles with the state agencies.
Types of Car Titles
You might notice the terms clean, clear, salvage, and rebuilt on an automobile title.
- Clean: The car has never been in a serious collision that led to the insurance company declaring it “totaled.”
- Clear: The owner owns the car outright and there are no liens on it.
- Salvage: The vehicle was deemed a total loss. When a state issues a salvage title, it is frequently stating that the car cannot be driven or sold as-is.
- Reconstructed: A title for a salvage car that has been fixed. The car can be in good condition or it might have had a quick fix that will need more work down the road.
the initial two are positive descriptions. But you should probably avoid a car with either of the last two types of title. For example, a vehicle with a rebuilt title may be inexpensive. But the cost of insuring the car will often be much higher than for a car with a clean title.
How to Get or Transfer a Car Title
The buyer and seller of a car will be able to give information outlining the change in ownership in a part of the title. Usually, the parties will have to give:
- Their full names and addresses
- The purchase price
- The date of purchase
- The odometer reading
If relevant, the buyer will have to supply information about their lender. The contract must be signed by the buyer and the seller.
Some states mandate the notarization of title transfers, and state laws differ in terms of how to remedy what you typed improperly on the title.
In some states, you must obtain a replica of the original title and repeat the application process. Other states allow you to cross out the wrong information and add the right information above it. But you might have to fill out a document outlining the circumstances of the mistake.
The purchaser is ultimately in charge of obtaining a new title in their name from the state in which they now reside; they should ascertain the pertinent details and procedures by visiting their state’s motor vehicles website. The seller must provide a bill of sale and a copy of the title that has been signed over to the buyer.
The bill of sale should include:
- The date
- Location (city/town and state) of the purchase
- A description of the vehicle
- The names and addresses of the buyer and seller
- Signatures of both the buyer and seller
The buyer should make sure the VIN on the title and the VIN on the vehicle match before signing anything. To confirm that there are no liens against the vehicle that the seller failed to disclose. They should also search for the VIN in their state’s online motor vehicle database.
Check Also:
How Much Is a Dental Cleaning Without Insurance?
