Title Question on a Cash Purchase of a Car from Used Car Dealer?

You said you are in Indiana. Is the dealer also in Indiana? You also did not say whether it was a new or used car. A new vehicle should not take this long. A used vehicle may take this long. Reasons being, the dealer did not have the title when they sold it. (Could have been a trade in with a pay off and they haven't gotten the title from the lien holder yet. Or, the previous owner didn't have the title, lost it or just never gave it to them, and the dealer has to either get it from them or apply for a duplicate title. There are a number of reasons a dealership may not have the title. It isn't right, and isn't completely legal, but unfortunately dealerships do this all the time.

And unfortunately first you can not get the registration yourself unless you have the title to the vehicle. And unfortunately, legally, the dealership can NOT issue a second temporary tag. (Some do, but it is illegal and they could get into a lot of trouble with the state.)

I would immediately go to the dealership and find out what is going on. Phone calls may not get you the straight answer. Or depending on who you speak to, you could get one answer from one person and another from a different person. Believe me, they can come up with all sorts of excuses. So go in person. Start with your salesman, and then work your way up. I personally would deal with the person in the dealership that handles their motor vehicle. If he/she doesn't give you a reasonable or acceptable answer, speak to a manager. Legally you won't be able to drive your vehicle if your temp has expired. Will they give you a "rental" or substitute car, no charge of course until the motor vehicle is completed? Will they pay any extra fines if titling goes beyond Indiana's limit? Be firm when dealing with them, And if you threaten anything, make sure you are willing to follow through with the threat.

If the dealership can not or does not provide you with the proper paperwork-title and registration withing the 31 days, they basicaly have broken their side of a contract, and you could possibly get your money back. If they don't accomodate you by giving you something else to drive, at no fee, or some other kind of "legal" alternative, don't hesitate to contact the police, Indiana's DMV or the better business bureau. If there is a lien on your vehicle, you have a loan for it, contact the lien holder too. And do it. You have rights and it seems the law is on your side in this case. And if you do have a loan on the vehicle, make sure you keep making payments. Not making your payments will give them amunition, to reposses the car because you broke the contract.

Keep on their case..be a pest until it gets handled properly and legally.

The title and the plate are two different issues.

Most dealers will register the car for you. Typically, within 30 days they will send you a plate or call you to come and pick it up. In some cases, either due to delays on the part of the dealer or the DMV, the temp tag expires before the plate arrives. The dealer can issue you a 2nd temp tag if necessary -- there is no grace period on an expired tag, so get the 2nd tag before the time is up.

You don't need the title to register the car, but as I said, the dealer is most likely going to register the car for you, so check with them first. Many dealers do not hold the title to their cars -- they are financing them, so the bank holds their titles. They have to go through the DMV to transfer the title, so you can expect it to take a few weeks. You don't have a right to get your money back -- you bought the car, and a delay in title work is not a reason to end a contract unless you can prove that they don't have a right to the title (i.e. they sold you a stollen car).

You can call the dealer and express your concern, but they'll probably just tell you to sit tight and don't worry. It isn't unusual for the DMV stuff to take a full month.

if I am taking a used car dealer to small claims court do I need to keep a car that don t run no more for the purpose of my law suite? I cant afford to pay for a car that I can t drive. I am a single mother in nursing school full time.

well you shouldnt need title to get tags if they gave you any papers of sell and most temp tags are good for 14 days might look and date... and really you should have got tittle at the time they got your money.. you can ask for another temp tag but you should be able to get tags with the paper work they gave you at dealer