How To Get Car Ownership Papers from An Online Auto Auction

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Hey folks, getting a car from our auto auction has never been easier. Registering and bidding on a vehicle is the way to go. Since we value your comfort and convenience, we’ve designed a few mechanisms to get the second most important thing after the car itself. We’re talking about documents. Here’s how to get car ownership papers from AutoBidMaster, quickly.

Step 1: Pay For Your Vehicle In Full

At AutoBidMaster, we can start processing the title reassignment as soon as you’ve paid for a vehicle in full. Our Title Department acquires documents from the sellers as soon as the payment is made. Don’t forget to сheck out our Help Center for more information on payment methods.

Step 2: E-Sign All Documents in Your Account

Once the payment has been transferred to AutoBidMaster, electronic documents for you to sign will be available in your account. You’ll need to check the ‘Lots won’ tab, and there will be a vehicle odometer reassignment form and Bill of Sale. These documents are required to complete the purchase through our online car auction.

Step 3: Make Shipping Arrangements

All in all, the final step is arranging AutoBidMaster shipping. It’s an easy and pretty straightforward process. As soon as everything is booked and pre-paid, the journey for your car begins. Upon its arrival, you’ll have to sign a Bill of Lading. They prove that your vehicle was delivered to your destination.

Step 4: We Mail Car Ownership Paperwork for You

Yes, you’ve read it correctly. After the purchase is finalized, everything has been paid for, you’ll receive a title. We provide you with the FedEx tracking number to keep an eye on the shipping status changes. As a rule, processing the ownership documentation and delivering it to you, our happy customer, can take 2-5 weeks. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Residents of California and Florida must pay specific taxes valid in these states as soon as they complete their purchases. Title processing in these states can take up to 90 days until the reassignment is ready to be handed over to a new owner. If you’re buying a car from either of the abovementioned states, be sure to check here and here for the most accurate information.

Bonus: Guide For International Customers

International customers don’t have to worry, either. They will receive their car ownership documents with their cars in the ports of destination countries. In addition, there is an opportunity to have your title sent directly to US Customs. This choice will speed up Customs clearance. Just let us know about your intention beforehand, and the rest we’ll do for you. 

Why Are Car Ownership Papers Important?

Ownership papers are very important when you have a car. These are the documents that connect your name with the specific vehicle. They involve the legal, financial, and also practical aspects of car ownership. So, without further ado, let’s go through a detailed explanation of these aspects in the following chapters.

1. Legal Proof of Ownership

Car ownership document such as the vehicle title serves as a legal document that proves that you are the owner. This document is essential when it comes to disputes about the ownership of the car, as well as the ability to sell the car. Without a title, you will most likely not be able to sell the car. However, some states allow older cars to be sold with a bill of sale.

2. Registration and Licensing

In order for you to legally drive a car on public roads, the car has to be registered by the DMV. The DMV is the Department of Motor Vehicles. Every state has its own DMV. The ownership papers are essential for the car to be registered. Without these papers, you will not be able to register the vehicle. If you don’t register the vehicle, you could face serious fines.

3. Transfer of Ownership

Besides the ability to drive the car, with the ownership papers, you are also able to switch ownership. For example, if you want to give the car to a close relative as a gift, or if you want to sell the car, you need to have a title or a bill of sale in some cases. Without these documents, you will not be able to complete this transaction legally. The new owner will not be able to register the car because the car will still be in your name.

4. Insurance

If you want to insure the car, you also need to have proof of ownership. In other words, the title of the car, as well as the registration papers. Without these documents, you are not able to get insurance. And driving without insurance is often punishable with high fines. This is why these documents are essential.

5. Financing and Loans

If you are using a loan to obtain a car, the lender will place a lien on the title until the loan is paid off. So, instead of your name, the owner of the car will be the company that gave you the loan. And this is very important because even if you legally own the car, you are not able to sell it without their consent.

6. Vehicle History and Value

Ownership papers also contribute to the vehicle’s history and its value. Let’s take an example, a salvage car with a salvage title is often valued far less when compared to a clean title vehicle. So, when you put things into perspective, the overall value of a car is determined based on these documents.

7. Legal Compliance

And lastly, having ownership papers makes sure that you meet compliance with the local, state, and federal laws. This helps you avoid legal problems that can arise from driving a car that is not properly documented.

Overall, when you win a vehicle at an auction, these documents are mandatory if you don’t want to have problems during the ownership of the vehicle. The title is the most important piece of paper that basically is the vehicle’s ID.

What Do Car Ownership Papers Include?

The car auction papers from AutoBidMaser are the official documents that detail the purchase and legal status of a vehicle that is purchased on this auction platform. These auction papers are essential for the legal transfer of ownership and registration of the vehicle. Here are some of the key components included in these papers:

1. Bill of Sale:
   • The auction bill of sale proves the purchase of the vehicle. This document includes information about the buyer and seller, the price, and the description of the vehicle (VIN number, make, model, etc). 
2. Vehicle Title:
   • The vehicle title is crucial when it comes to car ownership. This document can have a few different designations depending on the condition of the vehicle. For example, clean, salvage, junk, or rebuilt title.
3. Auction Invoice:
   • The auction invoice is a great document that breaks down the price of the car. This document includes the winning bid amount, auction fees, and other fees that you have to pay for the vehicle.
4. Odometer Disclosure Statement:
   • Another very important document is the odometer disclosure statement. This document is required in many states when it comes to vehicle registration.
5. Vehicle Condition Report:
   • This report details the vehicle’s condition at the time of auction. It includes any known damage or problems. The document is essential to understand the extent of damage and repairs needed to fix the vehicle.
6. Customs Documentation:
   • AutoBidMaster customers include clients from overseas. These customers also have to deal with customs. So, AutoBidMaster also provides the customs documentation that helps the owner import that specific vehicle to his location.
7. Inspection and Repair Records:
   • In case the vehicle was inspected or had repairs before the sale and these are well documented, the records will be included.
8. Power of Attorney (if applicable):
   • In some instances, a power of attorney document is essential to authorize AutoBidMaster or a related entity to handle title transfer and registration on behalf of the buyer.

These documents collectively ensure a smooth transfer of ownership and help buyers register their newly purchased vehicles in compliance with state laws. It is crucial for buyers to review and retain these papers for future reference and legal purposes.

FAQ

What are the ownership papers for car?

The most important document for you as a car owner is definitely the title. This document is basically the thing that legally connects you with this specific vehicle. In other words, it has your name on it and you are legally allowed to sell the vehicle if you want so. Another document that some states use for selling cars is the bill of sale. But this is often a document that is used for older vehicles whose records have been long lost. In addition to this, cars from auctions will include an auction invoice, odometer statement, condition report, as well as customs report if you are from abroad.

How to get a title for a car bought at auction?

The auction house is obliged to give you the title. For example, AutoBidMaster. We will give you the documents that are included with the car, including the title, auction invoice, odometer statement, and more. When it comes to the title designation, your new title will have the same designation. If it’s a salvage title, you will get a salvage title, if it’s a clean title, you will have a clean title car.

How long does it take to get title from auction?

Processing time by the auction house is between 2 to 4 weeks. This is an essential period for the auction house to get all the papers done in order for the order to be completed. These are administrative tasks so they don’t happen with a press of a button. You need to be prepared for this.

In addition to this, different states can have different timelines for processing titles. So, in some states, this can happen far quicker than in others.

Also, the mailing time plays a big role. Standard mailing can add 1 or 2 weeks on top of the 2 to 4 weeks of administrative processing time. Overall, you need to be prepared to wait for a while until you get your title and other documents from the auction house.

Car papers for sale, is this a scam?

Yes, you should try to avoid such scams. Nobody will legally sell you car papers. The only way to get your papers is by visiting your DMV and issuing a new title if you’ve lost your existing document. This is not a big problem if you are the rightful owner of the vehicle. If not, things are far more complicated because you need to prove that you are the owner and this is only able to be done with a bill of sale. If you don’t have one of these documents, proving that you are the rightful owner is unfortunately very difficult if not impossible. That’s why you should never lose your VIN number and the title of the vehicle. Make sure that you keep these documents nice and secure all of the time.

Last Word

Following this guide on how to get car ownership papers will provide you with peace of mind before you’re ready to go! AutoBidMaster makes every step in the car auction process uncomplicated and easy-to-follow, thus streamlining your experience. Our Customer Support is always ready to answer your questions if you don’t understand something or just need some help. If everything is clear, you can get to biddin’ straight away. Create an account with us or sign up with your Google or Facebook profile, place a refundable security deposit, and choose your membership to start. Don’t forget to enter the COLUMB21 promo code at the checkout page to get 30% off your membership. Hurry up, as this limited-time offer is available until 10/22 only. Fill out our online form or give us a call at + 1 (503) 298-4300 (6:00 AM – 4:00 PM Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Friday), and we’ll be happy to help. Also ClearVin offers fast and easy access to the original Jeep Window Sticker by VIN.