CA DMV FEES DUE - Does this impact out-of-state purchases?

[XDCX]

I've noticed a fair number of cars sold at auction in California have the disclosure - CA DMV FEES DUE - how does this impact buyers who want to register and title the vehicle outside of California?

As a background, California continues to assess registration fees even if the owner of the vehicle doesn't renew the registration - this is a very common situation for vehicles that have been repossessed. Before the vehicle can be re-registered all of the back fees must be paid.

My question concerns out-of-state buyers. If someone buys a vehicle with $400 CA DMV FEES DUE will they have to pay that amount if they want to title the vehicle in another state?

On a different note, do any other states hold the registration hostage until the back fees are paid?

[crowe]

I've noticed a fair number of cars sold at auction in California have the disclosure - CA DMV FEES DUE - how does this impact buyers who want to register and title the vehicle outside of California?

As a background, California continues to assess registration fees even if the owner of the vehicle doesn't renew the registration - this is a very common situation for vehicles that have been repossessed. Before the vehicle can be re-registered all of the back fees must be paid.

My question concerns out-of-state buyers. If someone buys a vehicle with $400 CA DMV FEES DUE will they have to pay that amount if they want to title the vehicle in another state?

On a different note, do any other states hold the registration hostage until the back fees are paid?

Wow, what a mess! Why is the next owner obligated for the previous owner’s obligations?

Here the registration fees & property taxes are tied to renewing the owner’s license tags & not the vehicle.
Unpaid property taxes & registration fees are the obligations of the previous owner.

[XDCX]

Wow, what a mess! Why is the next owner obligated for the previous owner’s obligations?

Here the registration fees & property taxes are tied to renewing the owner’s license tags & not the vehicle.
Unpaid property taxes & registration fees are the obligations of the previous owner.

That's interesting - I like your state's system better.

California is a tough state to do business in - the state's broke and they're always looking for new sources of tax revenues. :mad:

I'm just wondering if there's an opportunity for out-of-state dealers to buy vehicles at a discount if they know they'll never have to pay the past-due DMV fees? (Or maybe California holds the title hostage until the registration fees are paid and no advantage exists?)

[XDCX]

I still don't have a 100% certain answer to this question, but most people I've asked believe a vehicle with CA DMV fees could be retitled in another state and re-registered without paying the fees.

As an interesting sidenote, one person told me it's not just an issue with unpaid DMV fees, apparently parking tickets in California go against the VIN and the vehicle cannot update their tabs until the parking tickets are paid.