Purchasing and Registration Advice Welcome (CT to MA)

1213 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by novasupra, Apr 5, 2021

Defender90Ma

Discussion Starter · Apr 2, 2021

I am in the process of purchasing a 1996 Tdi 300 Defender 90 that was restored in Italy and imported to the US, the truck is currently in CT. I have inspected the truck and met the current owner, everything looks good. I now need to go through the purchase and registration process. Any advice people can offer on how best to transact with the private seller to mitigate risk in the purchase process, as well as, advice on registering the truck in Massachusetts would be much appreciated. The truck is currently in the process of getting registered in CT, however no title will be provided as CT does not provide titles to cars or trucks 25 years or older.

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sheki

· #2 · Apr 2, 2021

That sounded odd, regarding the title in CT. I did a quick google search and it sounds more like a title isn't required to register a vehicle in CT that is 20 years or older. Based on that, I'd be shocked if they didn't issue a title after the vehicle has been registered in CT. Once the seller receives the title and gets it to you, I can't imagine it'd be an issue registering it anywhere aside from CA (because of the diesel engine).
As a note, it recently took me 2 months to receive a title in NY on an imported Defender that hadn't previously been registered in the US. You might want to call your DMV in MA and inquire with them about buying a car out of state without a title and what your options are.

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novasupra

· #3 · Apr 3, 2021

I just imported and registered a Defender and it was nerve wracking to say the least, that said, i would make sure the seller does the leg work and make sure he registers it and titles it in the US before you buy it. Once he does that it should be a fairly typical transaction, title transfer for an older car. Do not try to buy it or take over the process before the US title is issued, that would just be asking for trouble in my opinion. Good luck!

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Defender90Ma

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 3, 2021

Thanks for the insight. Out of curiosity how did you handle payment for the Defender you imported? For example, did you put a deposit and then pay in full once you had registration/title in hand? Did you escrow funds? Just looks for tips to mitigate risk on the purchasing process.

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Jeff T

· #5 · Apr 3, 2021

Defender90Ma said:
I am in the process of purchasing a 1996 Tdi 300 Defender 90 that was restored in Italy and imported to the US, the truck is currently in CT. I have inspected the truck and met the current owner, everything looks good. I now need to go through the purchase and registration process. Any advice people can offer on how best to transact with the private seller to mitigate risk in the purchase process, as well as, advice on registering the truck in Massachusetts would be much appreciated. The truck is currently in the process of getting registered in CT, however no title will be provided as CT does not provide titles to cars or trucks 25 years or older.

Thoughts?

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Jeff T

· #6 · Apr 3, 2021

ive registered in both states. You need a copy of the bill of lading/shipping docs from Italy to Newark(for your records to show that your truck was legally brought into the us. ) vin # should be on the paperwork. I would suggest a as was picture when shipped. A current registration from CT and a typed bill of sale with the year make model, sale price and clear accurate vin #. made out to you and the seller both signed in pen.
That should do it. Both ma and ct are ok on defenders.
Note: 1 out of 6 times I needed to show up with the car to clarify. This help?

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novasupra

· #7 · Apr 5, 2021

Defender90Ma said:
Thanks for the insight. Out of curiosity how did you handle payment for the Defender you imported? For example, did you put a deposit and then pay in full once you had registration/title in hand? Did you escrow funds? Just looks for tips to mitigate risk on the purchasing process.

I think my situation was a little different then yours, my seller was overseas so I did pay him in full before he shipped the truck, I made the seller responsible for the shipping and customs but I had to take care of the titling and registration once it cleared customs. It seems your seller is in the states and is already planning on titling it in CT before you buy it. If that's the case, I would definitely have him title it first before you buy it, it makes the process so much easier for you because it just becomes a "standard" title transfer from one state to another. There are a lot of pitfalls that can happen with titling freshly imported Defenders, you definitely have to have all of your paperwork in order or it becomes a bureaucratic nightmare. If you can get someone else to take that responsibility, i'd definitely go that route. I would give him a deposit and write in the bill of sale that you will pay him in full once he provides you with a legal domestic title. Good luck.

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