Buying a Car Without a Title: What You Should Know

"I bought a car without a title, how do I get one?" is one of the most frequent questions DMV employees hear. A missing title is a common problem that can bring the new car owner to court if not solved on time. What can be done if you have bought a no-title car? This guide will give you the answers you need.

A car title, which is also called a certificate of title, is a legal document issued by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles that proves who owns the vehicle. It should contain such information:

"Can I buy a car without a title?" potential buyers, allured by low prices, ask. There's no law preventing you from such a purchase, but you should think of other documents, like a car bill of sale, that can prove you're the owner.

When is a car title required? 

A title is your guarantee that the vehicle you buy will not bring you legal headaches in the future. Without it, transferring ownership or registering the vehicle becomes complicated, and even impossible in some cases.

Technically, you can, but it doesn't mean you'll be able to do it legally. In many jurisdictions, like California, Texas, and Florida, the DMV won't allow you to register a no-title car unless you can prove ownership through other means. 

There are several common reasons a vehicle might not have a title:

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), during the first half of 2025, 334,114 cases of vehicle theft were registered, and roughly 1 in 325 vehicles had a history of title washing (when one removes a title by re-registering the car in another state). It emphasizes how easily a buyer can become a victim of criminals and get into trouble by purchasing a car without proper documentation. 

A profitable deal on a car isn't worth it if it is accompanied by legal and logistical issues. Here are the most common problems you may face if you buy a car without a title:

Before you proceed with any such purchase, confirm the vehicle's history using specialized services, like Carfax or the NICB's free VINCheck.

If you've already bought a car that has no title, there are legal ways to obtain a new document, although the process may vary by state. Here are common steps to get a new title:

The decision to buy a car without a title is associated with many risks and complications, and the money you'll spend on their solutions may outweigh what you saved with a good deal. Still, if you have already bought a car without a title, your best move is to obtain a new title — starting with verification and working through your state's process. It will protect you from many legal problems in the future. 

Article by Karina Pukaniuk

Karina Pukaniuk is an accomplished Tax and Corporate Lawyer with a strong legal background in international structuring, personal data protection, and intellectual property law. She has extensive experience in M&A transactions, corporate restructuring, and developing cross-border strategies across multiple jurisdictions. At Loio, Karina contributes to the creation and review of legal templates and guides, ensuring they are accurate and compliant with U.S. legal standards.