Overhaulin'

How can I check if a classic car has a salvage title, without seeing the title?

I am considering buying a 1973 car to restore. The "owner" has no title. How can I make sure that it does not have a salvage title? Will the DMV tell me that information if I am not the owner? The for-profit vehicle history report websites cannot recognize a VIN shorter than 17 characters, which many classic cars do. I am in California.

Public Comments

1. If the 'owner' doesn't have a title, then you aren't buying the car: You're just giving him your $$$$$. Turn & walk away...
2. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, operated by the US Dept of Justice, will help you find out if the vehicle has a salvage title. Here's the link: http://www.nmvtis.gov/index.html The fee is about $2-$4 per search I believe. Here's a link to the California DMV site on vehicle registration. Looks like you can buy a vehicle without a "pink slip" if you and the seller complete the proper forms. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/vr.htm Good luck!