100% correct, although many states have a "BFP" rule (bona fide purchaser for value) that might get you clear of the lien. Still silly not to check, particularly on a newish car that might still have money owed on it.

Quote Originally Posted by Knestis View Post
Uh, yeah. I'm like, super-weird about stuff like this but I'd sure as heck do a carfax on this thing before I invested a bunch of dough in it.

I opted out of a $500 MkIV Jetta this past summer because "the title got lost" turned out to be "I paid cash for it when I bought it from this other guy," who it seems didn't bother to let the bank carrying the note know he'd offloaded it...

K