Michigan Vehicle Title Law

[Jlbiehl]

Hi!
I sold a 13 year old vehicle on 2/28/2017, as an individual. I have a signed and dated letter from both the seller (me) and the buyer with the vehicle description and cost. I filled out the following portions of the title:

Seller Name
Seller Address
Seller Signature

The car was 13 years old, so I didn't have to fill out the odometer reading, but I should have filled out the sale date/sale price/buyers name, etc. (It was my 1st time selling a car and I didn't know what I was doing.)

As of4/8/2017, the buyer didn't transfer the title to their name, and are demanding to return the car. They think I should return it because they say I missed "warning signs" of a possible blown head gasket. (I didnt commit fraud, as I had no idea this was going to happen. They were well aware that the vehicle had been snowed in all winter and they were the 1st to drive it in several months, so I know they can't get a refund based on fraudulent information.)
But, my question is, could my carelessness in not completing the title transfer in full give a judge reason to allow them to return the car?

Thanks in advance!

 

[adjusterjack]

Here's what MI says about your responsibilities when selling a car:

http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1585_1619-25461--,00.html

As long as you signed over the title, it's a done deal AS IS and you can tell the buyer (whiner) to pound sand and stop talking to him.

The rest of that stuff is suggested for your own protection. And I would add, next time do a signed bill of sale, two copies, keep one. And complete the title by filling in the name and address of the buyer then make a copy of both sides of the title.

I see that MI allows you to retain your license plate. Hope you did that. If you didn't, oh well. I don't know if that will give you any trouble.

I don't see anything about filing a "sold notice" with the DMV. Look on your old registration document. Might be something on that. Might be able to do it online. Either way, do it if you can and keep a copy.

ANY TIME you sell a car, do all that stuff and retain copies of documents in your permanent file. You can scan them on to your computer where they can stay forever and not take up any space.

But, my question is, could my carelessness in not completing the title transfer in full give a judge reason to allow them to return the car?

No.

Once again. Tell the buyer, he bought it AS IS, he owns it, then stop talking to him. It's the talking that gets you in trouble. Whiners will always try to wear you down to the point where you do something stupid like take the car back, or offer a partial refund, or whatever. Block his number if you have to.