So my wife's car came in more than a week ago. She put a deposit on it months ago. Supposedly it's sitting on the lot. (We have not gone up there.)

Do the paperwork and title come with the car to the dealership or is it separate? Why would they not have the paperwork so they can deliver the car to her?

We have a bad feeling they sold her car and they are buying time to find another one.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: steve495,

I worked at a dealer for about 5 years. The new car titles get shipped to the dealer separately from the manufacturer. I think it’s partly so the car doesn’t get traded to another dealer while in transit and the title is “lost”.

I can’t remember the name of the document, but there is also something the dealer needs to get to submit to the state the car is being registered in, that could also be your holdup.

Also, if you're financing, it's not like you'd get the title anyway.

My last 3 [dealership] car purchases (1 new, 1 CPO, 1 used) I'd had the car 2-5 days before finishing all of the paperwork.

If that's a new car, the dealer's story sounds pretty fishy. In Florida, the title is issued by the state, to the buyer of the car. If the car has never been sold by a dealer to the first buyer, no title even exists, so a dealer would not be "waiting for the title."

When a new car is sold, the dealer processes the transaction with the state and the title is issued. The default in Florida is, no paper title is issued. It's an electronic record, held by the state. If a paper title is desired, it's an additional small fee, somewhere around five bucks.

Sounds like that dealer is giving you a run-around. Your wife paid a deposit for a car that is allegedly sitting on the lot. Do you have (or can you get) the VIN?

Might be worth your while to go to the dealer and ask to see the car.

You'll get a certificate of origin with a new car and the state will generate the title when you make application and license it.

titles are a state issue. but the CO is not and you need it to do anything. They normally don't move with the car. That doesn't mean they aren't screwing around, but it is definitely possible the two items (delivery and paperwork) are a few days apart.

Might be a good idea to get the VIN number of that car.

Something sounds and smells fishy to me. I would go to the dealership and demand to see the said vehicle and if they want to play games advise them you will be contacting your attorney and the state agencies to have your vehicle delivered to you in a most haste manner. Best of luck getting this settled quickly and if they want to play games it might become financially benifical to you. ................ drill sgt.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Also, if you're financing, it's not like you'd get the title anyway.

My last 3 [dealership] car purchases (1 new, 1 CPO, 1 used) I'd had the car 2-5 days before finishing all of the paperwork.

Here you still get the title.

Dealership Carvana? They've lost several state licenses to sell cars because their back of office paperwork is sh*t. Several buyers have cars without title so Carvana keeps on issuing temp plates. The problem does not seem to be an accidental screwup, but common practice.

Thank you all. This is a brand-new car at a Hyundai dealership. We've had the VIN for at least two weeks and just went up to drive through the lot and we found the car. (Good, they did not sell it.) It is still all wrapped up. VIN does match what we have from them.

We realize we will not get the title, but we need some sort of paperwork to move forward with the purchase. We'll finance part of it, but might not be through the dealer (Hyundai).

They mentioned "waiting for the title" but maybe they are just waiting for the CO. They are saying they can not find it and suspect it was sent somewhere else by mistake... Ugh...

There has been some serious communications issue with the sales staff and the dealership. They are not ensuring confidence.

Where I live, the manufacturer sends the dealer a MSO (manufacturers statement of origin) and after the sale the dealer gets a title in the new owners name from the state with that document. The manufacturer does not create and send the title to a dealer, the state does that.
The dealer would also get you the tag and registration paperwork for you.
They would give the title to you or the bank (if financed).
Can’t you go to the dealer and actually look at the car you are buying? I wouldn’t hand them anything more than a deposit until you’ve seen the actual car you’re buying and do a quick inspection to be sure it’s equipped as agreed and has no cosmetic accidental damage.

I would recommend arranging financing through your own bank or credit union and let them sort out the paperwork with the dealership as they know the proper procedures to protect your and their interests. Also to keep from being strong armed by the dealers F&I department (finance and insurance).

steve495-
At least here in WV, all you need for financing purposes is a (signed, by you and the dealer) Bill of Sale from the dealership.

quote:

Originally posted by steve495:

we found the car. It is still all wrapped up.

They're gonna have to unwrap it in order to apply the TruCoat.

What do they need the title for? That is all done by the DMV, plus is kept by the bank if you're financing. In no case do they get the title. This doesn't just smell fishy, it positively reeks.

Yes, the MSO, can't title or register without it.

ETA: They probably don't want to risk not being able to title in a timely manner, GA gives the dealer 30 days by law, your state might be less

quote:

Where I live, the manufacturer sends the dealer a MSO (manufacturers statement of origin) and after the sale the dealer gets a title in the new owners name from the state with that document. The manufacturer does not create and send the title to a dealer, the state does that.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BigSwede,

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
They're gonna have to unwrap it in order to apply the TruCoat.

I thought that TruCoat came from the factory?

Since you see the vehicle and it's in factory delivered condition and not prepped they are probably telling you the truth, no dealer is holding a car they sold back, they want the money, not the car.

You could call Hyundai and complain that they are not getting the MSO to the dealer, squeaking wheels get the grease

quote:

Originally posted by steve495:

There has been some serious communications issue with the sales staff and the dealership. They are not ensuring confidence.

Reach out to the Sales Manager or Dealership Manager. Both will be more experienced and they might be able to get things resolved for you.

The dealership should be able to go up the command chain with Hyundai to get a duplicate Manufacturers Statement Of Origin (MSO.