Dealer cannot get title for pre-owned vehicle?

Question

I bought a used car from a reputable Audi dealer in NJ but live in NY, so they gave me temporary plates for the car. They said it takes about 30 days to get the NY plates and they would let me know when they're ready. I called them a couple of times because my temp plates are expiring, and then I told them to email me so I have it on record. This is the email. Should I be worried? Why wouldn't they be able to get the title?

"I just talked to Joe our pre-owned Manager about your plates. He told me because they can not get the title to your vehicle for whatever reason we still do not have your new registration and the plates for your vehicle. This is not your fault so if you do get a ticket (dealer name) will take care of it."

Answer 1

Nope, this ain't right. Of all places, a dealership should know the importance of a clean title. This dealer seems to be having a problem remembering those rules.



Delays in the transfer process can and do happen, and a professional dealer would be able to a) tell you exactly what they are and b) provide you with temporary documents (incl. registration and plates) until everything is cleared up. They cannot accept legal responsibility if you get stopped by the cops, nor should they advise you to do that.



Call them up again, and ask to speak to the boss. If you get the manager in charge of whatever, ask once again to speak to THE boss. Once you get the boss, ask for his / her professional email address, and send him / her a copy of everything that has transpired so far. Politely ask for a written reply (email counts as written) within the next 48 hours. And in the CC box, put the New Jersey DMV (or whatever the DMV is called in NJ) general enquiries email address.



If that doesn't clear up the matter, it's time to return the vehicle for a refund.

Answer 2

Get an attorney! They are not suppose to sell the car with out having the title. This is an act of fraud on their part. The car could be stolen; this is why you need an attorney!

Answer 3

why haven't you contacted the DMV to find out exactly what the status of the vehicle is??? have them check the VIN.

Answer 4

It's not unusual for a dealer to take in a used car on trade, OR buy one from an auction and the legal title to the car is not immediately available. It may take several weeks for the dealer to process their application for a new title through whatever state they have to deal with.



If your dealer can't get a title for your car in a reasonable amount of time, they SHOULD give you a fresh temporary registration (paper license plate) so you would still be legal to drive your car.

Answer 5

Other answers are correct - immediately return the car to the dealership and request new temporary plates.



Ask for a definitive answer on what is going on with the title - and when they will be able to rectify it. If they can't seem to give you an answer, demand a full refund.

Answer 6

Your tags are done different than my state so I really can't offer anything. But I would have some concern driving with an expired tag even if the dealer is taking care of the ticket. Is your insurance valid?



In my sate, you would have already bought your own tag and the title delay would not have caused you any near term issues.

Answer 7

no

Answer 8

Tell the dealer you want either a full refund of your purchase price including all taxes, loan fees, etc with no mileage charge for the miles you've already put on the vehicle, OR they can get you another 30 day temporary plate, OR they can give you a loaner car from their lot, OR they can buy you the 3 day trip permit every 3 days until they have the permanent license.



But under no circumstances are you going to drive a car with expired registration. Their email is suggesting that you break the law on a promise that they'll pay the fine if you're caught. That's unethical and could get them in deep trouble if you reported that offer.

Answer 9

If there is a delay in obtaining the title a dealer should issue you another temporary plate.

Answer 10

Don't rely on anything a dealer tells you. If you get stopped without current plates, the police will impound your vehicle.

Answer 11

At minimum, I'd request/demand that they get you another set of temporary plates (immediately) so that you aren't ever faced with getting a ticket in the first place. The dealer should be able to do that for you at the very least. I say this because the cost of the ticket alone may not be the only cost YOU incur should you get the ticket - your insurance premiums may increase (for years) and your insurance could even drop coverage entirely if you're caught driving on expired plates. I seriously doubt the dealer is going to pay for those additional costs or your time to resolve all those issues, so get them to give you new temp plates.



As for the title, assuming the car was purchased by them legally and their dealership is operating legally, they should easily be able to apply for a duplicate title (which they should have already done as soon as they realized they couldn't produce the current title after they sold you the car...). It may take some time to obtain the duplicate title, so make sure they give you temporary plates that cover the car long enough to account for that delay. Good luck.