Please help. I'm trying to put someone else's car in my name.?

State of California.

I have our bill of sale contract, proof of payments sent, and proof of payments received (he signs receipt and mails them to me). He refuses to register the car in my name. I have been making payments to him since February, and suggested he put me as registered owner and him as lienholder, which he won't do either. I only have four more payments to make on the car. I've paid omre than 75% on it, and have heard that since this is the case, I can bring all my "evidence of sale," to the dmv and have the car transfered to my name myself. Is this true? Is there anything else I can do?

I want to settle this outside of court.
Additional Details
Also, I've tried calling the DMV. All I "spoke" to was an automated machine, which only led me in circles.

Karen B

no, this is not true. The DMV will not recognize the sale until you show up with the title. You must pay 100% of the balance prior to getting the title- I still don't understand why he won't be listed as a lien holder? Maybe he is afraid you'll stop making payments and he will have to go through all kinds of BS to repo the car, who knows?
He is actually helping you out- by allowing you to make payments to him- I think I would let it go- at least until I was paid in full.....

margie k

Hi, I'm sorry but I would not register the car in your name until it was paid in full either. The seller would have no way to recover the rest of his money except to sue you and I'm sure he doesn't want to go through all of that. Go to your motor vehicle agency in person with all of the paperwork you have and see what they say about the situation. They may have a better answer for you. Those places are impossible to call !

vicki g

Are you saying that if you got pulled over and the police asked you for registration, proof of insurance and your drivers license that you wouldn't be able to provide a registration with your name on it??

Explain to him that being the lien holder means he's still the legal owner. Perhaps he doesn't understand that.

As the lien holder, he still holds onto the title. HE needs to go to the DMV or AAA Auto Club (with you) and transfer it into your name. The new title will be mailed to him, and you get to walk out with a registration in your name (and his name will also be listed down below where it says lien holder on the registration.)

Have you been able to insure it?

speedwell

If you are making payments on a car purchased through a private sale, then I would assume that he will sign over the title to you when you make the final payment. Perhaps you should try talking to him and see what his plans are regarding the title.

Registration of the car is YOUR responsibility. You should have the car registered in your name, with the seller as the lienholder (legal owner). When you make your final payment, the lienholder (this guy) will sign the title and give it to you.

Then you take that title to the DMV and ask them to transfer the title into your name only.

Why do you people always think that lawyers and courts are involved? Until you make that last payment, you don't own the car.

TITLE AND REGISTRATION ARE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES.

lisazbue

hi..i have a similar situation. i loaned my friend the money to buy a car. i am listed as leinholder and co registered owner. he is making monthly pmts as well. he is moving out of state, and i want my name off as registered owner so that i am not liable for anything, but he has 2 more years of pmts b4 its paid off. it looks like changing registered owner means i am giving him the car (on the title) what can i do to make sure i remain as legal owner, but am not responsible if he gets tickets or into an accident etc. thanks, lisa

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