05-09-2011, 11:10 AM
Just to share/educate, maybe to prevent others from getting caught in a similar situation, but it seems pretty relevant for this bunch:
Title Jumping. Person A sells a car to person B. A signs the title off but leaves it open. B doesn't fill out his info at the time. B fixes the car up, decides he doesn't want it, whatever, sells it to C. C registers it and it appears he bought it from A. No harm done and B didn't have to pay stupid sales tax on it. Sweet! :thumbup:
I've been A, B, and C in various transactions over the years, never had a problem. Never gave it much thought, didn't really know the law on this. But, just so we all know now:
VA § 46.2-628. How certificate of title transferred.
The owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer registered under this chapter, when transferring or assigning his title or interest thereto, shall fully and correctly endorse the assignment and warranty of title on the certificate of title of the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to its purchaser, with a statement of all security interests on it, and shall deliver the certificate to the purchaser or transferee at the time of delivering the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer. Any owner who willfully fails fully and correctly to endorse the assignment and warranty of title shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
At least this is the relevant law we could find. $500 max fine. I looked into this because a friend of mine got in a sticky situation, as person B, when the car blew up on C, they got pissed, and want to get him in trouble. And really, maybe they all committed a crime here, but he's pretty understandably nervous about it.
The lesson here is, I think, as A or B, you really expose yourself if the buyer turns out to be a dick, or is just an idiot. After looking into it, though I'm a big fan of ignoring and breaking stupid laws, I've decided to avoid this situation in the future now that I know how sour it can turn and how actually illegal it is.
Who else thinks car titles should expire after 10 years or under some certain value? I mean, I can go buy a $2000 TV and sell it, or buy a used one, whatever. But a $2000 car? Oh, the government needs a piece of that and you end up committing crimes while attempting to comply or ignoring all the laws that dictate the transfer. Who even cares about the title on an old car? It's just a hassle. I for one would rather not have this "service" of the government, thank you very much.
Title Jumping. Person A sells a car to person B. A signs the title off but leaves it open. B doesn't fill out his info at the time. B fixes the car up, decides he doesn't want it, whatever, sells it to C. C registers it and it appears he bought it from A. No harm done and B didn't have to pay stupid sales tax on it. Sweet! :thumbup:
I've been A, B, and C in various transactions over the years, never had a problem. Never gave it much thought, didn't really know the law on this. But, just so we all know now:
VA § 46.2-628. How certificate of title transferred.
The owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer registered under this chapter, when transferring or assigning his title or interest thereto, shall fully and correctly endorse the assignment and warranty of title on the certificate of title of the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to its purchaser, with a statement of all security interests on it, and shall deliver the certificate to the purchaser or transferee at the time of delivering the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer. Any owner who willfully fails fully and correctly to endorse the assignment and warranty of title shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
At least this is the relevant law we could find. $500 max fine. I looked into this because a friend of mine got in a sticky situation, as person B, when the car blew up on C, they got pissed, and want to get him in trouble. And really, maybe they all committed a crime here, but he's pretty understandably nervous about it.
The lesson here is, I think, as A or B, you really expose yourself if the buyer turns out to be a dick, or is just an idiot. After looking into it, though I'm a big fan of ignoring and breaking stupid laws, I've decided to avoid this situation in the future now that I know how sour it can turn and how actually illegal it is.
Who else thinks car titles should expire after 10 years or under some certain value? I mean, I can go buy a $2000 TV and sell it, or buy a used one, whatever. But a $2000 car? Oh, the government needs a piece of that and you end up committing crimes while attempting to comply or ignoring all the laws that dictate the transfer. Who even cares about the title on an old car? It's just a hassle. I for one would rather not have this "service" of the government, thank you very much.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a van is a good guy with a van