Do I Need the Title to Sell a Totaled Car in Indiana?

The title to your car is a legal document that verifies you are the owner. Some states call them pink slips. They are provided through your states Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV, at the time of purchase. They are also issued for all other motorized commodities, including motorcycles, boats, watercrafts (jet skis, etc.), construction equipment, and more. Because of this, most people assume you need to have a car title to sell a vehicle. However, it is possible to sell a car without a title, so long as you can meet other criteria that proves you are the owner of the vehicle.

Continue reading to learn more about the junk car selling process in Central Indiana, including what you need to sell a car and how to get paid the most cash for yours.

No Title Junk Car Buyers Indiana 317-450-3721
No Title Junk Car Buyers Indiana 317-450-3721

What You Need to Know About Selling a Junk Car in Indiana

When a person sells a used car, they have to turn over the car title to the new owner. This serves multiple purposes. First, the car title proves that you are the true owner of the vehicle. It also proves that the vehicle is not stolen and that you have the legal right to sell it to anyone you choose. The title is also needed for a purchaser to take over ownership of the vehicle and register it in their name. Once the title is transferred into the purchaser’s name, they can prove that they are the new, legal owners of the vehicle.

With these facts, you may be confused how someone can actually sell a car without a title. Well, if you want to sell your car to a private party or a dealership, you must have a title. However, you can sell a car without a title if you choose another type of buyer. For instance, there are several Indianapolis junk car buyers that pay cash on the spot for salvaged vehicles and vehicles without titles. So long as they can verify ownership using alternative methods, you can sell them your title-less car or truck.

Missing or Stolen Car Title?

If you do not have the title to your car, but you took out a car loan, it is most likely that your bank has the title. If you lost the title, you could apply for a replacement title before selling it to another person. Just contact your local BMV in the state your car is registered in and ask them about replacement car titles. If you are selling your vehicle to a junk car buyer, you may be able to prove ownership without a title using your registration, insurance information, and drivers’ license.

Ready to learn how you can get rid of a junk car and get paid cash on the spot in Indiana? Contact us at 317-450-3721 to get your free Indianapolis cash for junk cars offer, today. We serve all Central regions of the state with free junk car removal service.

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Cash for Cars Indianapolis 317-450-3721
Cash for Cars Indianapolis 317-450-3721

What is a Car Title?

As a car owner, you need proof that you in fact own your vehicle. This is exactly what a car title does. It is a legal document that serves as evidence and proof of ownership of a vehicle. In some states, a car title is referred to as a pink slip. Continue reading to learn some pertinent facts about Indiana car titles, including how to replace a lost or stolen car title, and what your options are for selling a car without one.

Sell a Totaled Vehicle
Sell a Totaled Vehicle 317-450-3721

Source of Car Titles

Car titles are regulated and distributed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can visit a local branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles, also known as a Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) when you need drivers’ license, registration, and car title services. There are dozens of locations in your city, so finding one is never a problem. Any major road-approved vehicle can be given a car title, including cars, trucks, SUV’s, vans, recreational vehicles, motorcycles, and even boats.

Title Transfers

When a car owner decides to sell their vehicle, they must transfer the car title over to the buyer once the transaction has been completed. This is referred to as signing over a car title, or more formally, a car title transfer. If you wish to sell your car, but you do not have a car title, you could run into some delays. A private buyer who intends on operating the vehicle will want a valid car title. Car titles also make your car worth more, so having one is best if you plan to sell for a profit.

To replace a lost or stolen car title, you will have to get in touch with your local drivers’ license branch. There, you will receive all the instructions needed to complete the paperwork, requirements, and deadlines. There is usually a fee for this process, so be prepared to send in a check or money order when filing for a duplicate car title. See our blog, “How to Replace a Lost Car Title” to learn the steps for getting started.

Rebuilt and Reconstructed Car Titles

In the case that your vehicle has been deemed totaled by the insurance company, it will be given a new titled called a salvaged title. Now, in the case that you wish to pay to have the vehicle repaired back to a non-totaled, road-approved condition, the DMV would issue a rebuilt car title, also known as a reconstructed car title. If you have a totaled car that was not covered by insurance, you might not be able to afford repairs in such a major way. In this case, you could sell your junk vehicle to an automotive salvage yard, even without a car title. It is possible for junk car buyers to accept other forms of documentation to prove ownership of a vehicle, such as the registration, insurance policy, or lien.

Where to Sell a Totaled Car in Indiana

You can sell a totaled car in Indianapolis in as little as one day! Simply call 317-450-3721 and ask for Bill if you want the best deal for your junk car. As a family owned and operated company that has done business in Indiana since 1927, you can trust that we offer the fairest and most honest returns for junk cars and vehicles!