Michigan Members: Anyone willing to help w/ title?

adark248 · Post by **adark248** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 12:54 am

I've almost exhausted all of my options for obtaining a title for my scoot. It's been sitting in a garage since I bought it, with an occasional sprint down the street or around the block (illegally). It's really burning me up.

I had a contact who works with titling cars for dealerships check the VIN and try to get the BMV to get me a title, but they still refused.

My question is this: Would anyone in Michigan be willing to apply for a title for my scooter, then transfer that title to my name. As I understand the Michigan website, they allow someone to use a simple form to apply for a title when the original has been lost or can't be retrieved from a previous owner.

Of course I would happily compensate someone for their time and effort. The deal wouldn't be illegal in any sense. I have one more option for dealing with this in Ohio, and if that comes through this won't be necessary. I'm just trying to feel out this last ditch opportunity before I decide to sell her.

They keep telling me I have to go to court over an Aero 50 I pulled out of a garage for $150 bucks. As much as I love this thing, I can't justify or afford hiring a lawyer or anything like that. I doubt I can even afford the court fees.

Sorry for the long post!

Dac · Post by **Dac** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:01 am

in michigan, mopeds dont have titles, just registrations (Sticker on the back, and a small little 3in by 3in paper saying its yours.

you really think that a legal moped in michigan would transfer to Ohio that easy?

kolohe · Post by **kolohe** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:13 am

Dac wrote:you really think that a legal moped in michigan would transfer to Ohio that easy?

Why wouldn't it? So what would be the fifference if you was to move from Michigan to Ohio? Should be no problem.

Eft37 · Post by **Eft37** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:30 am

http://www.its-titles.com/ is who I plan on using. I tried the Michigan thing for my "nopeds", but the guy flaked and tried to steal my money.
Registration in Michigan + bill of sale should make it easy to title, though.

Post by **noiseguy** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 10:43 am

Dac wrote:in michigan, mopeds dont have titles, just registrations (Sticker on the back, and a small little 3in by 3in paper saying its yours.

you really think that a legal moped in michigan would transfer to Ohio that easy?

Yes it is that easy, as long as it's not stolen.

The Ohio owner gives the scoot VIN to a Michigan resident. Michigan resident gets registration for scoot in MI. MI resident sends MI registration to Ohio owner with bill of sale. Ohio BMV should (at that point) convert the MI registration to a Ohio title.

What you are functionally doing is selling the Ohio scooter to a MI owner, then selling it back to the Ohio owner.

The BMV may balk at the MI registration, but they should issue a new title at that point if you stand your ground.

adark248 · Post by **adark248** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 1:37 pm

noiseguy wrote:
Dac wrote:in michigan, mopeds dont have titles, just registrations (Sticker on the back, and a small little 3in by 3in paper saying its yours.

you really think that a legal moped in michigan would transfer to Ohio that easy?
Yes it is that easy, as long as it's not stolen.

The Ohio owner gives the scoot VIN to a Michigan resident. Michigan resident gets registration for scoot in MI. MI resident sends MI registration to Ohio owner with bill of sale. Ohio BMV should (at that point) convert the MI registration to a Ohio title.

What you are functionally doing is selling the Ohio scooter to a MI owner, then selling it back to the Ohio owner.

The BMV may balk at the MI registration, but they should issue a new title at that point if you stand your ground.

Exactly. Noiseguy put it better than I could have.

I'll have to check out that website. I know that they don't require "titles" in MI, but all I need is for it to be registered somehow. I've had the VIN run at least 4 times and it's clear of all liens and is not stolen. In fact, according to the information they can't tell that it has ever been titled.

Looks like it would cost $165 from that website... hmmmm. That doesn't seem like too bad of a price, but if they can do it that means I can do it myself, I just need to figure out how. Obviously if I can figure it out it will be at cost, without the premium I'm sure that company charges. Also, moderately shady websites concern me.

Eft37 · Post by **Eft37** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 2:21 pm

It's @$140-$170 with plates, too, which is what makes it a decent deal.

Chisholm · Post by **Chisholm** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:51 pm

You may be able to show a bill of sale, get an inspection at a deputy registrar, then title it.
I just went through a mess with my Spree.
I was able to fully register it before getting the title transferred.
(When I went to the BMV, they wouldn't title it, but they would register it.)

Kenny_McCormic · Post by **Kenny_McCormic** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 4:05 pm

Best way in michigan is to fake a BOS (AKA "give" it to your friend and have him "give" it back with a BOS) then go pay your $1 and put a sticker on it, otherwise you apply for a salvage register and have to have it inspected by cops and pat taxes.

Dee · Post by **Dee** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:09 pm

Sounds too familiar. Bought '86 Spree off Craigslist. Guy never titled it..no longer knew where title was. Checked Honda, originally sold from Watseka, IL dealer to someone in Michigan. Checked IL and MI DMV, no record of ever being titled.

$60 for appraisal. Waiting on $75 security bond from ins co that will cost me $50 so I can have it titled/registered (additional $103 + $25 sales tax) to ride in IL.

Thought about parting it out but it seems to run fine and is in pretty good condition so it didn't seem right to tear it apart.

Live and learn!

Eft37 · Post by **Eft37** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:14 pm

Which is why ITS is a good deal (I'm also in IL).

Post by **noiseguy** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:21 pm

Registration in MI is $14. Pay someone $50 for a brokering fee and you're set.

I can't believe none of the guys from MI are jumping on this. Several other states do this as well; Arkansas is another state that doesn't require titles for 50cc scooters. And FYI, you're right, MI scooters are *never* titled. If I'd moved to OH, I'd be in the BMV demanding a title for my Michigan-registered scoot.

adark248 · Post by **adark248** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 6:17 pm

Called the Court of Common Please today and they said I could fill out the forms and go to court to get a judge to issue a court order for the BMV to issue me a title.

It's going to cost me $200 to get this done, and even then the judge could decide that my "evidence" is not sufficient and refuse my case.

Sooooooo... I'm willing to pay for it, but 200 bucks is kind of steep. At least I know how to do it now. Although, obviously, this is making my little scooter an expensive proposition. I'm not sure after the 150 I bought it for, the 100 in new parts, then 200 for the title that I'd ever be able to sell it and get that much back out of it.

Unless someone decides they want to make a few easy bucks getting it registered in MI then I guess I'll save up the cash and bite the bullet.

Chisholm · Post by **Chisholm** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:09 pm

So, does it have to have been registered in MI? Or could you just use a bill of sale from MI?
They titled my Spree as a motorcycle and registered it as a moped.

adark248 · Post by **adark248** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:20 pm

thanks for the ideas. They consistently told me that they won't do anything Luckily someone is helping me. If registering it in another state works I think I'll write up some directions on how to deal with this all too common problem.