I have this "friend" with the following situation, I'll call him bob to protect the innocent

Bobs dad bought an imported 84 930 when nearly new with less than a 500miles on it. Bobs dad meant well and it was a diffenent time and in all his infinite wisdom put 30,000 miles on the title for the car (indiana). The purpose I guess was so the car could be bought as used with no question. 23 years later bob's son owns the car and has the original title in hand, but would like to register the car in his new home state of texas. The problem is there are only 25k miles on the car now. Bob didnt know he would hardly ever drive the car and that it would go virtually undriven in the mid ninties. Can bobs son now register the car with out getting into any trouble or odometer discrepencies, or is the whole thing a nonissue. Any sudgestions are apreciated bobs son would like to get the car registered with the correct milage in a non shady way.

signed,
"friend" of bobs son

 

Call the DMV as "Bob" and ask them. When I bought my Healey from a private individual, the lady at the DMV simply asked what the mileage was- no big deal. You have the odometer on your side anyway- I think it's a non- issue.

 

I think Texas is a bit lax on such issues. You should be able to tell them the title is incorrect and is should read 25K. If they don't buy it, they may make check the box that reads "not actual mileage".

A better option would be to put 5K miles on it .

 

25K-30K.. not a huge difference. What you don't want to do is check that box which reads "not actual mileage".

At that point it becomes a toss-up whenever "bob's" son decides to sell. I title it at the 30K and have fun! Shouldn't be an issue.. tell'em its been sitting all these years cause daddy was scared to play with it!

 

First, Texas will probably not check the odometer itself when issuing the title. If someone knows for certain, please correct me. But because the car is so old, the DMV clerk will probably not go out and confirm the odo reading you tell them. Most states' DMVs wouldn't. So they'll put down whatever you tell them.

But if the car needs to be inspected/smogged, the smog check center will probably note the mileage. Of course, that probably has no bearing on what's printed on the title issued by the state. So if there's a discrepancy, no one will care or notice.

However, then you're worried about something like Carfax, in case you ever want to sell the car again. You'd hate for a flag for "Possible Odometer Rollback" if that hasn't been the case. After all, in 1984 the car supposedly had 30K miles, while here in 2007 it'll be listed as 25K. Doesn't look right, huh? Fortunately, Carfax might not go back that far, to 1984. I checked a Carfax on my '87 this year, and it only went back to 1999. An AutoCheck I had done 2 years ago when I purchased the car only went back to 1993 or so. No records provided for the car for the first 13 or 14 years of its life. I know the car was located in California and Oregon, so at least those 2 states have purged their databanks from the 1980s and 90s. There's a chance that Indiana has, as well. So no one will ever be able to trace the fact that your father put down 30K on the title back in 1984.

The only possible problem might be if that 30K mile figure is noted on the Indiana title you currently hold. The Texas clerk processing your title request may or may not notice that. Not sure what'll happen if they do.

Other option is like what 125shifter recommends (and what I'd probably do)--just put another 5K miles on it before you title it. Then everything matches and you don't have to concoct any stories.

 

DO NOT CHECK THE ACTUAL MILEAGE UNKNOWN BOX! a True Mileage Unknown (TMU) is tantamonut to a salvaged car. There is an affidavit that can be completed in Indiana stating there was an error on the title application and that the miles were 3,000 not 30,000.

 

I can run a carfax for you if you PM me the VIN.

 

After a certain year most states don't require the mileage.

 

2 years ago I titled my 930 in Texas and left the car at home.

 

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I've registered/titled cars (in NC and FL)without them actually being with me.

 

Texas is very lax in registering and titleling cars. I can assure you that no one will check the odo on the car. I can also assure you that you will not be questioned about the odo reading, the price you claim that you paid for the car is also your business as well. They will not question that either...
Good Luck,
BOB

 

"DO NOT CHECK THE ACTUAL MILEAGE UNKNOWN BOX! a True Mileage Unknown (TMU) is tantamonut to a salvaged car. There is an affidavit that can be completed in Indiana stating there was an error on the title application and that the miles were 3,000 not 30,000."

To me...this is the best suggestion...it's a feasible explanation, easily accepted, logical in terms of the possibility of someone inadvertantly adding in an extra zero....and at 25K, the car is still a very low mileage vehicle for something this old.

 

thanks for all the info guys, Ill let you know how bob's son faires . Pming Schnele

 

This is exactly what I would do, just title it at 30K and put 5,000 miles on it. Don't mess with anything, you'll (sorry, bob'll) be fine.

 

If you live in Fl and the car is 10years an older then Fl wants the title to read milage unknown. I went around with them about this with my car and lost the battle.. One owner car