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Paid off car - Lien - Selling it now
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Paid off car - Lien - Selling it nowPosted:

TheFakeMrSneaky
  • Summer 2019
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Hello, so near the beginning of the year I paid off my car and now I am selling it. When I paid it off my mom handed me some piece of paper which stated the car had been paid off or something called the "Lien"..

At the moment I have no idea where that paper is.. Is it necessary to sell my car?
#2. Posted:
002
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If there is a lien on the car that means it hasn't been paid off. if it's a newer vehicle, you will need the title to the car (not the registration) and that's it. On the title it will show the registered owner(s). If it has a lien / is financed the bank will show as owner number 1 and you will shows as number 2.

Generally speaking it's a good idea to keep the piece of paper showing your car is paid off because sometimes they might keep charging you your payments even though the car is paid off.
#3. Posted:
TheFakeMrSneaky
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002 wrote If there is a lien on the car that means it hasn't been paid off. if it's a newer vehicle, you will need the title to the car (not the registration) and that's it. On the title it will show the registered owner(s). If it has a lien / is financed the bank will show as owner number 1 and you will shows as number 2.

Generally speaking it's a good idea to keep the piece of paper showing your car is paid off because sometimes they might keep charging you your payments even though the car is paid off.


Okay, I don't think thier is a lien anymore though due to her giving me that paper. I paid it off through a big bank around here so I think I'm safe for the additional charging. The only issue right now I guess is do I need it when someone buys the car? Theirs no loan or anything on the car. I have the title to the vehicle.
#4. Posted:
002
  • Winter 2021
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You will always have the title to the vehicle even with a loan, the important part is the name on it lol. For example I took out a loan on my car and my title shows Wells Fargo Dealer Services as the first owner and me as the second (though when you do a vin search it will only count as one registered owner). Make sure your title only has your name on it. If it has the banks name on it, you will need to go there to get paperwork showing the car is paid off, then go to the DMV to get an updated title.

Usually for a vehicle sale you just need the title, but to make sure look up the rules. Say you're in California, type into Google "California DMV". On that website there should be a tab for selling vehicles, if there isn't usually there's a search function. If you can't find it let me know what state you're in and I'll take a look.
#5. Posted:
TheFakeMrSneaky
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002 wrote You will always have the title to the vehicle even with a loan, the important part is the name on it lol. For example I took out a loan on my car and my title shows Wells Fargo Dealer Services as the first owner and me as the second (though when you do a vin search it will only count as one registered owner). Make sure your title only has your name on it. If it has the banks name on it, you will need to go there to get paperwork showing the car is paid off, then go to the DMV to get an updated title.

Usually for a vehicle sale you just need the title, but to make sure look up the rules. Say you're in California, type into Google "California DMV". On that website there should be a tab for selling vehicles, if there isn't usually there's a search function. If you can't find it let me know what state you're in and I'll take a look.


"Lien release card or notarized lien release (if applicable)."

Thats for Minnesota DMV.. so I need it.. I litterally already tore this house apart for it lol

And on the title it shows the "Owner" as my mom then me. I also went thru wells fargo though
#6. Posted:
002
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If it does not show the bank you don't need the card. The reason it shows you need the card is because it's assuming you still have a lien on the car so you need to go to the bank with the buyer and get the lien in their name.

If it's just you and your mom on the title, you're all set.
#7. Posted:
TheFakeMrSneaky
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002 wrote If it does not show the bank you don't need the card. The reason it shows you need the card is because it's assuming you still have a lien on the car so you need to go to the bank with the buyer and get the lien in their name.

If it's just you and your mom on the title, you're all set.


Oh! Okay sounds good thank you!
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