California guys I need your help with registering a car!!!

[e dub]

Alright so this is my problem. Im looking at buying a car from Ca and the current owner signed the back of the title but never registered the car in his name... So he told me he went to the DMV and they told him that he could not register the car in his name because it has to be present. (The car has no motor so it does not drive) I know in California you guys have a thing where a car can be registered non op. If he goes to the DMV and registers the car non op will they issue a title in his name now?

Please if any of you can help me resolve this issue it will be greatly appreciated!

[semaj4712]

You can register non-op, so yes I believe he could do that

[e dub]

You can register non-op, so yes I believe he could do that

When you register non op do they issue you a title? All I need is for them to issue a title under his name so I can then purchase the car from him and have no issue registering the car.

[semaj4712]

not sure, never did it, I just know because I bought a car that was non op, but it was his before it was non op so I dont know

[!kid]

When you register non op do they issue you a title? All I need is for them to issue a title under his name so I can then purchase the car from him and have no issue registering the car.

depends on the situation with the car. when I got my e30, DMV told me it needed to be smoged before I can register it in my name. made it non op because I wanted to do a bunch of work on it. I was not given the title till I got the car running and completed a smog test.

[SirSwag]

Only issue should be smog unless there's another issue with the title that he's not telling you make sure you do a carfax

[e dub]

Only issue should be smog unless there's another issue with the title that he's not telling you make sure you do a carfax

Carfax is clean I checked. How can the car be smogged if it has no motor or trans?

[reelizmpro]

Seems to me he would have to smog the car to transfer ownership to his name first and then he can transfer the title to u. On second thought bill of sale should be enough along with the title holders signature releasing the title.

[mcskibadee1]

go to DMV or triple AAA. You could even call AAA and they will get you going in the right direction.

[Jon325i]

depends on the situation with the car. when I got my e30, DMV told me it needed to be smoged before I can register it in my name. made it non op because I wanted to do a bunch of work on it. I was not given the title till I got the car running and completed a smog test.

My E30 is currently a non-op. Registration was due in June 2012 (with smog results) but due to engine problems I registered it as a non-op. The DMV sent a document back titled "Acknowledgement of Nonoperational Status Reciept." It gave me a renew by date of 3/5/2013. If the car is running by then, the only fees I have to pay are the standard renewal of $81. After that late fees apply. Not sure if the non-op status can be extended beyond that date. Guess I can research that one if push comes to shove.

Jon

[e dub]

My E30 is currently a non-op. Registration was due in June 2012 (with smog results) but due to engine problems I registered it as a non-op. The DMV sent a document back titled "Acknowledgement of Nonoperational Status Reciept." It gave me a renew by date of 3/5/2013. If the car is running by then, the only fees I have to pay are the standard renewal of $81. After that late fees apply. Not sure if the non-op status can be extended beyond that date. Guess I can research that one if push comes to shove.

Jon

Ok, so I talked to the guy again and he said the car is currently registered non op. when he first bought the car he registered it non op. ( the car is a roller no motor no trans, not drivable) he's telling me that when a car is registered non op they will not issue you a new title until the car is operational. Is that true?

[J.Rizo]

Seems to me he would have to smog the car to transfer ownership to his name first and then he can transfer the title to u. On second thought bill of sale should be enough along with the title holders signature releasing the title.

this is what I was thinking. and yeah, if you have AAA, go there for complicated dmv stuff, WAY more helpful and they are always in favor of bending and tweaking rules/loop holes to get you outta the door happy.

[MR 325]

The guy is BS'ing you, the DMV does NOT need to see a car to transfer ownership.

The only way to smog a car with it not running is to get a "special" smog. ;)

[e30trooper]

1st to ask, why buy a roller??? And what matt said. Do that and no need for smog for two years.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Sounds like you should keep looking.