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Buying an unregistered vehicle.

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Roger

Roger

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I am considering the purchase of a 1946 MG that has never been titled or registered in this country, and whose history is, to say the least, sketchy.
It seems it was brought here many years ago from Australia. It had some work done by a repair shop, but then for some reason was left at the shop and has been there ever since, for more than 20 years. The shop owner is ready to retire and wants to sell it.
Does anyone have experience of acquiring, titling and registering a car like this, please? How should I proceed? Particular advice about what to do in Texas would be welcome.
 
Roger -

When you're ready to register the vehicle for use on public roads, you'll likely need to pay DMV for a "bonded title"; the cost is a percentage of the value of the vehicle. You then get a title certificate, and use that for registration.

Your local DMV can tell you the procedure, maybe even send you the forms (or you can download from DMV website).

Hope this helps.
Tom
 
Roger, Just make sure you have the number plates on the car. You should get the stamped in chassis number off the left front frame horn, (dumb iron) and check with the MGT register. With the chassis number they will give you the build date and original engine number. Don't know about Texas, but those numbers are usually required by an inspector. Also those numbers along with the brass plate information, you can make sure the car was never stolen and has no leans on it. I know it sounds like a lot, but during 60 plus years, some of these cars have been kicked around a lot and some even disappeared for a period of time. PJ
 
Roger,

Don't part with any money until the paperwork is straightened out. The person trying to sell the vehicle is not the legal owner and can't convey any greater interest in the car than he has ... which appears to be none. There are perhaps ways the seller can obtain title, but it's likely to involve some legal process and attendant fees. If you really want this car, it would be worth talking to an attorney and see what the options are and whether the seller is willing to go through any hoops involved. Hate to be a wet blanket, but I've seen too many times where someone buys a car with no paperwork, spends a ton of money on a restoration figuring they'll take care of the legal niceties at the end, then finding out they can't register the car without spending another ton of money. The worst case scenario would be the true owner of the car showing up and making claim to the car. I've recently seen an instance where a guy bought an out-of-state titled kit car and tried to register it here in Massachusetts. Our laws on kit cars are quite strict, including emissions requirements. Looks like the only way it's going to get registered is by a process of buying a running, registered, clunker and scrapping it ...basically substituting the kit car's emissions for the clunker.
 
Last I heard Broadway title was doing things out of texas so you may be able to get a bond title yourself. Check w/ the dmv and see. Either way, do give the guy any money unless you know for sure it doesn't have a lien or is stolen. Someone just got his stolen car back after 33 years from a guy down here. These things do happen.
 
In Ontario there is a procedure - and, from here, another reason to establish title early - Here you have to pay tax on the appraised value - so, an unrestored car is worth much much less.
 
All good advice! I'd try to find the owner that took it to the repair station or his siblings or relatives and make sure the shop has the right to sell it! The shop should have his name somewhere. A mechanics lean is a legal document and gives the shop the right to sell a vehicle to recover monies owed after a set period of time, BUT, there's a lot of paperwork involved and a record of that has to be presented to the potential buyer at time of sale. Don't let the anticipation of getting this car get in the way of proper procedures! If everything is on the up and up, the shop should have no objections on doing this properly, if they do, then run away. JMHO. PJ

Added note, I personally experienced the same thing on a TD in Myrtle Beach SC 10 years ago. The car had a mechanics lean on it, but by the time I got all the information on the car, the family was fighting the shop. As far as I know, the car is setting outside the shop today rotting into the ground!
 
Check on Mechanic's Lien. We have that here. Unclaimed vehicles with work done and not paid for, shop can file that and own it outright....no claims possible from previous owner. Ever.
Up here, unregistered vehicles with no title get a sticker applied by the State Patrol with an new number. Make sure they put it someplace unobtrusive...like not on exposed frame rails of the middle of the firewall.
Lots of luck!
 
Don't.
 
Mechanic's lien works well in Oklahoma too. Not sure all the details but I know it is fairly simple but does have to be filed by the mechanic, of course. He can also add reasonable storage fees on top of the repair bill. Over that long a time it can add up to a lot more that the car is worth so it is his to dispose of. Good luck but do cover the legal end.
 
Texas mechanics' liens and storage liens have some pretty specific notice requirements which probably haven't been met here: https://texaslawtoday.com/2013/05/20/texas-vehicle-mechanics-lien-foreclosure-process/ Note the author's conclusion: "NOTE: If you fail to do all the steps below, in the right order within the time limits, then the only way you can foreclose on a vehicle and sell the vehicle to get paid is to file a lawsuit in the Justice of Peace court."
 
My father had to auction off cars left at his shop after filing appropriate paperwork and placing ad in paper. Did not happen often and this was many years ago but cars rec'd SC title with sale. I remember one he had that sat in storage unclaimed that I wanted but he would not let me bid. Friend of mine bought it, titled it and drove it several years before trading.
I would not buy it from the shop without proper documentation from the state that allows for a title.
 
There is a way. The repair shop can get a clean title. They do it all the time in fact. Just ask.
 
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