buying a non operational car in Cali.

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pishta

I know I'm right....
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how you do this when the DMV requires a smog cert? Case in point 1980 Ford Courier: blown 2.0 motor, Straight body. I have its rusted adopted asian brother, 82 Mazda B2000 with a good 2.0 motor but bad bones and a load of CHP penalties for lapsed registration. I can pick up Courier (and good 2.3 Lima long block in the bed) for less that the registration penalties on the Mazda alone. Do i just get a title transfer (cant smog it with no motor!) and then register it when i get the motor swapped in? It will be parked off the public street in my driveway while i do the motor swap. Heck. even if i scrap the Ford, it ill get a good 5sp trans with new clutch, 4 newer tires, camper shell and bkdy parts and an unmilled head with working carb for spares for the Mazda.
 
Can you title transfer and register inop, then get it smogged when you’re ready?
 
If you buy it you're responsible for the back fees. A friend gave me a 2000 Ranger about 5 years ago, registration was 2 years expired. I had to pay all of it to bring the truck current and in my name.
 
I think the Mazda he already owns has the back-fees. If the Ford he is looking at is currently on a non-op, then there wont be any back fees.... unless I am reading that wrong.
 
Title transfer and register it non op. That’s the only way to not acrue fees. To make it operational you’ll have to have proof of insurance and smog. Neither of which are necessary for non op.
 
To get it to the smog shop after it runs, (and still isn’t registered) you’ll have to ask for a temporary moving permit.
 
If you buy it you're responsible for the back fees. A friend gave me a 2000 Ranger about 5 years ago, registration was 2 years expired. I had to pay all of it to bring the truck current and in my name.
If the vehicle is out of their system due to being inactive for a specific period of time, the fees actually go away.
 
If the vehicle is out of their system due to being inactive for a specific period of time, the fees actually go away.
You sell it to somebody out of state who doesn't know what a pile of crap it really is...
 
of its 10 years, heck i may just wait it out! :lol:
the Mazda has the rears payments. iirc its $300 CHP penalty and 175% of a new registration fee. I didnt think id be able to save it after its last smog fail so i parked it but little by little the smog parts were found and the rusted leaking exhaust was replaced. Now i bet it passes with flying colors. just bad bones. bed is tilted about 2 inches and i think the frame is bent from a passenger side impact in its prior life as that door is red inside not blue like rest of truck. a few rust throughs in the bed wall Old Washington state 49 state fed emissions truck that i got as a mechanics lein so he didnt have to smog it to offload it on me. CA loophole for not having to smog it. hell of a time getting it to pass first smog with a plumb worn out carb. Saw daylight past the throttle shaft and evert emissions vaccum pot was rotted. Dis i tell you i got it cheap? :BangHead:
 
Yes, the seller is responsible for the smog, BUT that is not an issue with a non-runner. It's not even that big of an issue with something that runs UNLESS the buyer then makes a stink about it. Go to DMV with the title in hand, pay the transfer and non-op fee. There you can take as long as you want to get the truck on the road.
 
Jim, so smog is just for registration...not title transfer? How do you tell he DMV that its a non running car (if they ask for smog cert) or is that only when you try and register it? Itll be tip top shape when I try and register it....if the guy ever responds to my emails!
>> He just responded....the owner passed away. This isn't getting any easier! <<
 
If the owner passed away, then what is on the title is the big question OR the guy selling it is the executor of the will. All questions you will need to ask.

But, yes. No smog needed for a non-running transfer. Had to do that with my Durango ten years ago as it was not running. It also had back fees, but that reflected in what I was willing to give for it.
 
Pishta, Smog test is necessary for registration renewal every two years, but ca dmv requires it for title transfer. Heres a link to the ca dmv process for 'title only' They complicate it by only allowing a title only transfer when the seller has previously filed a notice of planned non operation(non-op).
Do you have a signed title from the Fords dead owner? In your shoes, I would fill out as much of a 'statement of facts' form (has been stored indoors on private property) as I could and throw myself at the mercy of the dmv. Dmv does have the ability to transfer title only and grant you a temporary registration so you can get it to the smog shop.
11.175 Transfer Only (CVC §4452) - California DMV
 
The guy ghosted me. Seeing how the title wasn't in his name, the title signer was dead and he was selling it for a family sounds like this was going to be a 'parts only and cut the thing up before the cops find it in my driveway' sort of deal. Trouble with that was I was going to make HIS truck operational with my motor and trans. It wasn't non-op'd so the guy wasn't going to non-op it for me to get a title transfer. It was obvious he was as new at this as me as I was asking all the questions and 24-36 hours later he would give me a 2-3 word response: yes, no , I dont know. F it unless the guy reaches back out to me. I had TT5.9s trailer lined up and all..his loss.
 
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