CA.
I'm looking at a California motorcycle. Seller is in possession of a clean title - no liens, not salvage, but not in his name. Original (apparently) owner released vehicle, per the title, to another guy. This guy did not register the bike. He then traded it with the current seller who also did not register it. Seller, person #3, has a bill of sale signed by guy #2 and himself.
So, there is person #1, person #2, person #3, and person #4 - me. Bill of sale is hand written on a scrap of paper. Anyone could have written it. I understand the DMV do not question these things and assume nothing underhand is occurring.
How best to proceed? Should I proceed? Would you proceed?
DMV tell me I can put the bike in my name with these two pieces of paper and by paying the necessary back-fee, transfer fees (x 3) and sales tax.
Specifically....... - what are the pitfalls? ?? Suppose I register the bike to me. What could potentially happen after the fact? Several scenarios come to mind - a collusion between guy #2 and #3, bike suddenly gets reported as stolen, seller stole the bike and the title??? .... who knows? Just because a vehicle is not reported as stolen doesn't mean it isn't stolen. Why would seller be so reluctant to register in his name, then sell?
Thanks for any help.
I'm looking at a California motorcycle. Seller is in possession of a clean title - no liens, not salvage, but not in his name. Original (apparently) owner released vehicle, per the title, to another guy. This guy did not register the bike. He then traded it with the current seller who also did not register it. Seller, person #3, has a bill of sale signed by guy #2 and himself.
So, there is person #1, person #2, person #3, and person #4 - me. Bill of sale is hand written on a scrap of paper. Anyone could have written it. I understand the DMV do not question these things and assume nothing underhand is occurring.
How best to proceed? Should I proceed? Would you proceed?
DMV tell me I can put the bike in my name with these two pieces of paper and by paying the necessary back-fee, transfer fees (x 3) and sales tax.
Specifically....... - what are the pitfalls? ?? Suppose I register the bike to me. What could potentially happen after the fact? Several scenarios come to mind - a collusion between guy #2 and #3, bike suddenly gets reported as stolen, seller stole the bike and the title??? .... who knows? Just because a vehicle is not reported as stolen doesn't mean it isn't stolen. Why would seller be so reluctant to register in his name, then sell?
Thanks for any help.