Legal Question in Consumer Law in California

bought a car that wasn't his to sell

I purchased a car from a man for $2,400. He alleged to have not receieved the title in the mail yet, and upon checking with the California DMV they said all I'd need to acquire was the properly endorsed bill of sale. During the sale I also found out the man's cousin owns the car. I made sure the cousin signed the bill of sale. Money was exchanged. At the DMV, with bill of sale in hand, I was told that I would need the title. Further research revealed that the car had only been sold to the cousin a month prior, and due to a little paperwork mishap, the title was still in the hands of the dealer who had sold the cousin the car. They would resend it to DMV and it would take up to 90 days to clear. In the meantime, I have the car, but can't register it. The man who sold it to me insists the car is now mine and will not give me my money back. Should I:

1) leave the car on his doorstep? and then sue him if he doesn't give me the $2,400 back?

2) keep driving it until he gets the title?

3) hold on to the car, and sue him for the money back?

In the meantime, the registration is just about expired. Please help.


Asked on 6/27/00, 6:39 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Ken Koury Kenneth P. Koury, Esq.

Re: bought a car that wasn't his to sell

if the current registered owner will sign a DMV document requesting a dupicate title they should register the car. This happened to me when I bought a car from an owner who had lost the pink slip.

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Answered on 9/05/00, 6:43 pm


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