Advice regarding MA title

[Mazdax605]

Hey everyone,


I am not on here much,but some of you have met me in the past,Oleg for sure.


I have a friend from work who is in a bit of a bind,and I am looking for some advice. He was in the search for a fun car to replace the Corolla VE he bought a few months back,an doesn't really like anymore. He was searching for a CRX Si,but found they are tough to find in decent shape. He wanted one that had an engine swap already,and I have no idea why,but even then he wasn't finding the right car. I suggested maybe a Miata as a fun car because they are semi cheap to buy a 1st gen,and you won't find a more fun car in my opinion.

Well fast forward to today,and he calls me saying he bought a 92 with 100k miles for $4000 last night in JP. Probably payed a bit too much,but he liked it,so whatever.


He realized after he got home with the car that the seller signed his name to the title,but the title was in his "wife's" name(different last name). Also the seller filled out the back of the title in the section that reads :buyers address with his address,not my friends. Also no bill-of-sale was made out at all. What can my friend do about this? He asked if maybe he could return the car until the guy gets the title fixed,but the seller said he doesn't have the money anymore,as he went to a dealer after my friend left,and used the money as a deposit on a new car. That is BS in my mind,as my friend said he left about 9pm last night. What dealer is open that late? To me my friend didn't legally buy the car with this title mix up,but I also don't think he has much recourse. Any help would be appreciated.


Chris

78 RX-7 GS
74 Mazda REPU
78 Datsun 510

 

[Astral]

Call the registry and ask them the questions. Did he put the buyer's name on the title, but the wrong address? Having the name may be enough for RMV (again, a call will clear this up).

The official bill of sale is the title, as per RMV. I don't think that RMV cares about any other paper bill of sale. Of course, you could always write one up anyways.

Does the seller want to help the situation? (Sounds like the seller is clueless). If nothing else, your friend could have the seller park the car at his house and take the keys until the title is sorted.

 

[altspace]

Yup...I know you.

 

[Shaftski]

As far as I know, the signature on the back needs to match the name on the front. I agree, TT the registry and see what they have to say. They may not accept the title as is. They may want another title printed and filled out correctly, think that costs 50 bucks, but the original owner would have to request it.

I like to have better faith in people, but this seller sounds very dicey for filling out the title that way, then giving invalid excuses. I'd get that thing to a garage for mechanical inspection right away while I'm at it, just to make sure it isn't a total lemon. Since there is no bill of sale, I believe that means there is no warranty or guarantee at all, sold as is. But if the title didn't transfer yet, you'd have recourse.