The dealer I bought my car from hasn't sent in the registration to the DMV and now I don't know what to do...

Question

I bought the car 3 months ago from a dealer. I have the sales contract copy and everything, the DMV gave me a slip of paper that is titled, "Used Vehicle Dealer Notice/Temporary Identification". Which I show to any police officers that pull me over because my registration is out of date. On the back of that slip it says after 90 days if the registration isn't in yet, contact the DMV. I have the location of the car dealer, dealer number, and phone number as well as the sales contract. I've called the dealer several times and I always get the same answer of, "ill send it in tomorrow" but the registration card never comes in. Has this ever happened to anybody and if it has what can I do?

Answer 1

Go to the DMV and see if they'll track them down and put down the hammer. The dealer could lose their license, if they haven't already. Sounds like they might be scamming you and maybe others. You could also go to the dealer and confront them face to face.

Answer 2

Go to the DMV with the paperwork, they will tell you what to do & investigate the dealer.

Answer 3

If they haven't sent the forms to the DMV then they might have a title issue or may have "floor-planned" the car which means they use a service which pays for the car but keeps the title until the dealer pays it off.  This is a common practice for many dealerships.  If they have not paid off your car and gotten the title they wouldn't be able to send in the documents to register it for you.  Call the DMV and ask if you can pick up the papers and take them in yourself.  If they say "yes" then call the dealership and inform them that you will be in for the paperwork, and make sure that you get reimbursed for the title and registration fees you paid them because you will have to pay that to the DMV.  If the dealership is not helpful then call the DMV and the state Attorney General for advice.  Each state is different, in NY customers can file a claim with the DMV which investigates and arbitrates a resolution for them.