Buying not running car in MD - how? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Nervous · 02-23-2010, 04:10 PM

Hey guys,

I am thinking on buying a project car to restore. I found 95 V6 wagon on domestic craigslist for $300 with bad engine (don't know yet what happened) but with good transmission and good body (I haven't seen it yet, tho).
So, in MD to buy a car it should be inspected and then registered in MVA. How does this work if car is literally for parts? And the most interesting question - if I make it run, how can I register it, if I bought it as "parts" and didn't register in MVA?

Chris Crash · 02-23-2010, 04:30 PM

I did pretty much the same thing here in NC.

Just make it run, and go to the DMV (I drove the unregistered car but you are supposed to drive a legal car, obviously) and they'll give you a temporary registration for 3 days. In that three days you have to get it inspected, and bring the proof back to DMV and you SHOULD be good that way.

That's what I did, anyway.

I just used the license plate from my old camry on the new camry while I was driving it illegally, it worked for a few weeks!

Nervous · 02-23-2010, 04:40 PM

Thanks, Chris, I read your topic. But did you have a title on that not running car? Did you re-register the title on your name when you purchased the car?

Chris Crash · 02-23-2010, 04:51 PM

Yes. I got the car for free from a total stranger. They gave me the title and keys.
I towed it away for free for them.

At the DMV, I had a form filled out to have the title changed to my name, and they mailed it to me a few weeks after.

Just make it easy on yourself and have all the paperwork before you go stand 3 hours in line and they deny you...3 times.

Look it up on your state's DMV site. It should tell you how to register a car, and how to swap the title to your name.

DO NOT tell them that you rebuilt the car. That requires a whole separate and government official inspection that is a huge hassle.

If you have a buddy that runs an inspection station, bring it to him. The first person I tried to get to inspect mine after the swap wouldn't do it, so I went to a friend instead.

bigbird · 02-23-2010, 05:27 PM

it only needs to be registered if you plan on driving it around. since it wont run...you ONLY have to apply for a new title (you cant swap titles in MD, a new one MUST be issued). once the car is running, you can apply for registration and tags, at that point an inspection will have to be completed.

liensalebuyer · 02-23-2010, 08:58 PM

as long as you have the title, so it ain't reported stolen, in my state, there is a one day trip permit, or you can have it a flat bed tow take it to your state, or trailer (both axles off the road), fix it, then register it in your state. You should ask your state the requirements, which is green, like every other state, as long as you have the title.