How to Buy a Car Without a Title

Advanced 45 min 13 steps 13672 views Rating: 4.5/5 Published: 2026-02-16

Inspect the car in person and meet the seller.. Identify the VIN number and take a picture.. Run a free VIN number check.

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Steps

1

Inspect the car in person and meet the seller.

Step 1

Inspect the car in person and meet the seller.

2

Identify the VIN number and take a picture.

Step 2

Identify the VIN number and take a picture.

3

Run a free VIN number check.

Step 3

Run a free VIN number check.

4

Decide whether to walk away from the sale or attempt to secure a title.

Step 4

Decide whether to walk away from the sale or attempt to secure a title.

5

Ask the seller whether they ever had the title.

Step 5

Ask the seller whether they ever had the title.

6

Run a more extensive vehicle report.

Step 6

Run a more extensive vehicle report.

7

Ask the seller for a bill of sale from previous owner.

Step 7

Ask the seller for a bill of sale from previous owner.

8

Contact that last DMV where the car was registered.

Step 8

Contact that last DMV where the car was registered.

9

Consider hiring a title company.

Step 9

Consider hiring a title company.

10

Draft a bill of sale.

Step 10

Draft a bill of sale.

11

Get proof of payment.

Step 11

Get proof of payment.

12

Transfer title.

Step 12

Transfer title.

13

Register your vehicle.

Step 13

Register your vehicle.

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