New owner contacted me and said VIN on title starts with 4989 not 4948 that is on car. Maryland says mistake was on Idaho title so not their problem. Contact Idaho and they say that since Maryland title was issued after Idaho not their problem. Obviously a typo...only the Buick model ID is wrong. Might have to take car back and refund. Any ideas?
I had a similar issue in Florida one time. One of my patients was a title specialist at the dealership where she worked. She was able to get it straightened out for me. Maybe you know someone?
I know a guy at an inspection station that could do a VIN verification but car is in New Jersey....3hrs away. I suppose picture of VIN tag not good enough?
In the state of Kentucky, you have to get it inspected if it is out of state. The inspection is literally a deputy/clerk verifying the VIN matches the documents. You might try taking documentation that the invalid VIN indicates an impossible model and is a typo.
Might be worth a call to the state patrol in the state the car is in to see if they would verify the VIN for you. Missouri has what they call an ID/OD, where any licensed inspection station will verify the VIN and mileage on an out of state car so that it can be titled in MO.
Bruce, I had this happen with my '68 Sportwagon. I had to do a pencil rubbing of the VIN tag + a photo and mail it to MD MVA with a letter of explanation and another clerical fee check. They admitted their mistake and reissued the title and returned my check with the new title. That was years ago and I'm not sure it would go down that way again. Call the MVA in Glen Burnie and explain your issue. I should think they would help you out. Good luck, Matt
Same thing happened to me. Had the car inspected by the sheriff dept. took that paper to the DMV and they made the correction. After all its a 50 yr old Buick, no big deal
Problem is that Maryland says not their error so they won't correct it. They went with what they were given.... Going to go to another branch today and see that happens. One time with a motor scooter issue I just got in a different line and the person saw no issue.
All states that I have dealt with on this issue have a process for correcting VIN errors - notwithstanding the tit-for-tat between Idaho and your state. I would make sure you're dealing with THAT department and/or THOSE people where that process is. You need to become very familiar with two specific state's DMV code & titling regs as to errors and corrections. It would seem that, if it can be proven Idaho (titling/tregistration) is where the error occurred (and any subsequent state relied on that info [note that most states want a VIN inspection by their own person when bringing-in a vehicle from out-of-state], then Idaho would appear to have a special responsibility here. It may also be possible for this to be corrected with some official written explanation from ID DOT .... to your state DOT .... or perhaps the Buyer's state's DOT (it may be the easier of the three states). Not the best options, but that is why I always write into my purchase language for a car to have "good and marketable title" as part of the deal.
Going to call Idaho again today and see if I get someone different that might be willing to help. At least send something admitting error. I realize they can't do a new title since there is one already in Maryland.
All Riviera VINs begin with 49487...the E-body 2-door hardtop code for Buick. How many owners have been in the vehicle's past? A photo of the VIN tag on the firewall should settle everything...how long ago was the typo made on the title?
3 owners....Idaho claims it was wrong since before 1996....incoming title in 1996 had wrong numbers. Does the firewall tag have VIN also? VIN is by door hinge.....
Yes, I believe the firewall tag has the full VIN on it. The body shop painted over mine on the driver's door...
Maybe NJ would do the correction? See if he can take the car to their DMV to verify when he retitles it in his name? You may have to send his a "bill of sale".
Bill, he could have titled with incorrect VIN in New Jersey but not with the correct one. Doesn't make a lot of sense.
I'd call NJ and see for myself. That would by far be the simplest. You could also possiby just get a clean VT title w/the correct VIN & be done w/it quickly & probably much less painfully than dealing w/DMV in ID or MD (which is actually pretty decent - One of our Governors - Schaefer maybe, must've made it their mission to make it a more taxpayer friendly agency).
Got a letter from Idaho saying they made booboo...taking to maryland tomorrow....to see if they accept it....
Bruce, Not trying to steal your thread, but have had similar happen to me. 1 Ohio Title on 71 Vette, & recently, on my 66 Impala SS. Vette was a Typo, Digit "5" put in, instead of Plant code "S". Impala had "0" instead of a "D" for plant code, in Texas. Vette, was easy, as only between 2 counties in Ohio, The Impala, came out of GA. in the early 80s, & title search by Texas showed problem happened here. (took 12 weeks to fix) Impala, I was lucky enough to take Photo of VIN to Tax office, & breakdown of the VIN to prove my point, & being I know the GCTO Head, & she knows what I do, it went through after several calls to State. (I inherited the SS from a friend, & didn't see title, until after he passed & executor was involved.) This is Not uncommon. I have had at least 6 cases doing PPIs for people where I found Typos or Other mistakes on Cars VS. Paperwork in the last year. I Always check the Title, or a Photo copy (even @ Legit Dealership, where I have had battles) about getting Proof . Especially if car is crossing State or Country Borders. If a private individual, the # is on the registration & Insurance Docs. If they don't match VIN, Red Flag goes up, & I report it to Seller & Buyer, so that it can get Fixed prior to car changing hands. So Far you have been Lucky, & Buyer seems to be working w/you. Don't try to Retitle through another State for simplicity, as I Can & Usually will Bite You. JR
