Buying a repossessed vehicle and registration..

I just bought a car in NY State from a dealer. It turns out the car was previously repossessed in NJ state by TD bank and then sold to the dealer. The dealer provided me all paperwork including original title, repossession papers and forms and bill of sale from TD to dealer and dealer to me. 

I went to the Springfield DMV location today and was told that I need to go to the Somerville location to register the car since they do not do repossessions here in Springfield.

I then called DMV on the phone and was told that I can only register the vehicle by mailing all the original documents to Trenton and then I will be mailed back a title on my name and only then can register it.

Has anyone here been through this before or know what the facts are? I dont mind driving to Somerville, but im a bit worried sending the original title and paperwork via mail to Trenton and hoping for the best....

Any advice?

thank you!

A few years ago when I lived in Brooklyn I purchased a VW Beetle that had been returned to the dealer due to electrical system issues.  The dealer gave me a great price and a special warranty to cover any electrical problems that might arise.  Because it was returned to a dealer, the car was classified as a "lemon".  I had no difficulty registering it and getting tags sorted out in Brooklyn.  When I moved to New Jersey and had to change the title/registration, the local DMV office could not help me and I ended up having to go to Trenton.  All because the car's NY title indicated it was a lemon.  I don't know if this applies to a repossessed car, but the situations seem similar. 

Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Ah, the Motor Vehicle Commissions and Departments of the nation. Bureaucracy at its very worst, and the Gift that Keeps on Giving.

Sorry you are having to deal with this.

Thanks Sweetsnuggles and I hope your holidays are filled with happiness!

Yes indeed, DMVs are a pain... I spoke with the dealer and he has not had this issue before...

It looks like I will have to mail all the paperwork to Trenton and will also likely have to pay a pentalty fee since this paperwork should have been done by TD Bank when they repossessed the car within 10 days after that took place. And in this case I cannot even drive to Trenton to do this, instead I have to trust the mail system with the one title and all original documents that I have ... joy!

ps - and I didn't even get any special deal on this car! I didn't even know it was repossessed until after having bought it

Before you mail your stuff, I'd check again. Just call again to verify. But btw, Trenton has Saturday hours.

Certified mail can be lost.

To absolutely most reliable mailing is registered. Every step in the mail system the letter has to be signed for. When I mailed a registered letter, the postal clerk signed that he received the letter and then placed the letter in a safe. He told me when the registered letters are picked up, they have to be signed out of the safe, put it in a lockbox and then delivered it up the chain, signature required at each point. Its like using personal couriers.

The clerks tried to talk me out off using registered, comments such as "do you really have to send it registered?"

Registered mail is used for things like irreplaceable documents or items or governmental documents classified up to SECRET level. 

Certified mail is carried at the same speed as its underlying mail class. First-class and priority mail are typically delivered within two to three days, so certified mail in the same mail class would be delivered in the same time frame. Choose certified mail when you need proof of delivery and time is of the essence. Registered mail is the Postal Service's most secure form of mail delivery, involving an unbroken chain of custody. Registered mail is protected in sealed containers, safes and cages, and held under lock and key. This extra level of security can cause delays and may require up to 14 days for delivery. Choose registered mail when the contents of the mail require additional security and time is not a factor.

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/difference-between-certified-amp-registered-mail-40089.html

The above states it takes a long time but the registered letters I sent seemed to only take a couple of days additional.

call Mila Jasey's office. She helped a friend sort out a Dante-ish DMV situation.

Thank you joy -- I do not have her number, but I did use the website email form to reach out to her. On further reading of the MVC site, I see all of this should have been done by TD Bank upon seisure of the car, not by me....

Thanks BG9 -- If i Mail it i will use registered and pay for overnight as well..

PS - this is what TD bank should have done prior to selling the car: 

To sell a seized vehicle

After a reasonable length of time – approximately 10 to 14 days – past notification, submit the following:

Original title; apply for a duplicate title if NJ title is lost

Application to Title Repossessed Vehicle (form OS/SS-57)

Copy of security agreement/lien contract

Copy of Notice of Sale that was sent to owner/debtor

Power of Attorney for individual signing application

$60 title fee; $85 for financed vehicles. If the title is lost, an additional $60 duplicate fee is required.

Thank you again joy -- today I received a call from Mila's office and they are already helping me out with the situation -- amazing response, very caring and proactive, already have reached out to Trenton DMV and are working on the situation! I no longer feel lost and am very happy!!

joy said:

call Mila Jasey's office. She helped a friend sort out a Dante-ish DMV situation.

That's what Mila, and our representatives in government, are there for. To help us. It's hard to believe at times...ok, nearly impossible, but she's good egg and I'm glad it's working out.