Buy car with owners pink slip still in the mail?

The seller just obtained the vehicle a little over a week or two ago. He provided all sorts of documentation proving that the vehicle is his (Registration, insurance, smog check form, picture I.D.) He says the Pink Slip is still in the mail but that I can easily just apply for a new title at the during the transfer. Does this make sence? How can I even prove that he sold me the car? All I would have is the bill of sale. Would that be enough?

I wish I could contact someone from the DMV right now but talking to a human via phone is impossible.

Thanks for the quick answers. I'm planning on picking the car and handing over the cash in the morining.

entidtil

DO NOT fork over a cent until you have a valid and merchantable title in your hands. A bill of sale is not enough. The only thing that is "enough" is the title (pink slip)
You can never legally own the vehicle until and unless you have that title to transfer into your name. There are stories of woe on this site every day of people who ended up somehow, without a title and now all they have is a car they paid for but cannot drive because they didn't get a title when they bought it... Some people on here can give you various form numbers and complicated procedures to fix a problem when if you just get a title, you won't need to go through all of that. (Maybe they are trying to impress you with their vast "knowledge"?) Have you ever wondered why the seller is selling a car he just bought ? Why buy trouble for yourself? Wait until he can provide a title or find a different car...

Peedlepup

NEVER, NEVER buy a car from a private party if that person can not place a CLEAR title in your hand BEFORE you exchange money.

If he just aquired this vehicle within the past two weeks why is he selling it so quickly? It sounds like "Flipping" to me. That is a illegal sale where the seller does not have the title, or has never transferred title into their own name.

For your own protection I would walk, no, run away from this deal.

vicki g

Yes, you can start the transfer process while waiting for the pink slip (now adays called title, because they are no longer pink)
In California:
Have the seller sign REG 227 Duplicate for Title form. he signs the front, you sign the back. It temporarily takes the place of the title.
Go to the DMV or AAA Auto Club with the signed REG 227, registration, smog certificate and cash. You need the odometer reading on the Bill of Sale REG 262 as well as sellers signature.
The DMV will "RDF" for title. Meaning, they will not complete the transfer until the title is received.
But you can leave that day with a registration in your name. The DMV data in their computer will have both buyer and sellers name until transfer is complete at which time they remove the sellers name. When you get the title, return with all the paperwork and title to complete the transfer.
You will pay the title fee $15, and registration fees, etc...in cash or check.
The new title with your name on it will be mailed to you in 3-6 weeks.

(Easiest and best way is if both buyer and seller go together to the AAA or DMV. That way you know everything got signed in the right place.)

minimeme131

You need the pink slip in order to put the car in your name. There is a form you can pick up at the DMV where the previous owner signs and the new owner signs and both will put their address on it also. Keep the bill of sale too.

Get a NOTORIZED bill of sale. It sounds fishy to me, like maybe he owes on it and there is a lien. I'd work out those details with him before handing over any cash. Even with a notorized BOS the bank has first rights if he owes, and that means you'd be out the $$$.

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