Registration from Hell Options

[erahman85]

I bought my Celica, August in San Diego, CA paid $4500 for car.

Went to arizona to work for a month, came back tried to register the car.

Original owner hasn't paid registration in 3 years. Registration due = $1117.00.

Previous owner was asked about registration and fees specifically and failed to disclose prior to purchase.

DMV confirms owner knew of regsitration issue.

A: Attempt to sue the driver for registration fees and keep the car regardless of decision.

B: Pay fees and sell the car.

P.S. I love my car and I hate California... maybe theres a lawyer here lol...

[ILuvMyCelica95]

a.

this is why you do a carfax and check things before you buy.

[kerosene]

a.

this is why you do a carfax and check things before you buy.

carfax doesnt always show you everything... it only shows you the things reported... if it was sold by private sellers it wont have anything...

[GriffGirl]

a.

this is why you do a carfax and check things before you buy.

carfax doesnt always show you everything... it only shows you the things reported... if it was sold by private sellers it wont have anything...

Carfax will tell you the last time anything was reported to the DMV though; i.e. transfer of title, registration. I knew through Carfax that the kid I bought my car from didn't register the car, but in Oregon we don't have those same laws, so I just had to provide the DMV's Bill of Sale form filled out and the title and only had to pay the regular registration and transfer of title.

It's really important that you have or get a valid Bill of Sale, especially since the previous owner didn't register the car. A valid Bill of Sale (check with CA DMV if they have the form, they probably will) and the title proves current and previous ownership. Then I'd ABSOLUTELY sue the previous owner for the registration fees. You'll probably have to pay the DMV up front though and hope to recover your expenses. You don't want to get yourself in trouble too.