Accidentally scrapped car with wrong title

Hello everyone, I hope y'all are having a better day than me.
ok, so my mother scrapped a car a while back. She took the wrong title for the car (her fault totally) but they accepted it anyway. We go to get tags for our car and can't because it's now listed as a scrapped vehicle. So, they wanted the car since they had the title and said that they would give us a car. After two weeks of having to walk back and forth to work they give us a Chevy lumina that has been under water and broke down the second day we had it. What can I do?

Welcome to the forum. It would help to know where you are from because different areas have different regulations. Based on what you stated it is assumed your county will not license the vehicle because it is listed as scrapped and the scrap yard wants it because they have the title. If this is the case, it sounds like you are dealing with a less than honorable scrap yard that is trying to take advantage of an honest mistake.

They have a car without a title and you have a car without a title. My strategy would be pretty simple, either they help you straighten out the mess or you will call the authorities to straighten it out. They cannot afford an audit or investigation if they practice business the way I read your description. In this part of the country I would provide documentation of their communication wanting the vehicle and my scale sheet showing you sold them a car. This is assuming you have the title of the vehicle you sold. Please disregard if I misunderstood your situation.

Sorry, I'm in Alabama. We tried to get them to swap out the title but said that they could not because it's already been done. They got the car for the title that was brought when the other car got scrapped. So now I have no car.

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Originally Posted by Roberthorton

Sorry, I'm in Alabama. We tried to get them to swap out the title but said that they could not because it's already been done. They got the car for the title that was brought when the other car got scrapped. So now I have no car.

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Now I'm confused... You're saying your mom scrapped a car, got paid for the car, but signed over the wrong title... then you went back and gave them the title for the first car, AND gave them the other car that you mistakenly gave them the title for in the first place? Then the scrap yard promised to GIVE you a replacement car?

When she went to get the tags and couldn't she called the scrap yard and that's when they said they would give her a car but they needed the other car and title to the original scrapped car. So they got both cars and titles and gave her a car that is not running after the second day that they gave it to her.

Since your in Alabama I just pulled down the Alabama Dismantler and Scrap Dealer laws I have for the location were opening there. In a case like this if the scrap dealer was a licensed automotive dismantler and parts recycler you might want to try Alabama Revenue Services since they license all auto salvage yards in the state and hold there dealer bonds but if there only licensed by county then the county probate courthouse were there located might be able to help you.


Now for how the title cancellation works for Alabama heres a rough idea. All titles are cancelled online in Alabama so its different then it is in most states where we mail or deliver the certificate of titles to the state or county depending on location. I just looked there system dosent let you cancel a title cancellation once its put in the system, once its put in and paid and the dealer confirms the information its marked as Junked and the transaction is final, and the title may never be issued again.


But under law we usually have to verify the VIN matches the VIN on the title before accepting the vehicle, and if they dont match then seller is usually turned away into the proper title is brought in with it. Your best bet would be to try those two sources first and go from there. This why most states have us get a bond incase were sued, or a case like this comes up were we can be held accountable for the actions. Explain the situation to Revenue or the County Court and see if they can do anything.


I also have to admit im also confused in this case since its not the first time Ive heard something like this but never in Alabama. Usually we have a holding period for cases like this. Even here in Maine were we don't have to hold vehicles I put a three day hold just in case when they come in. I can say if the title was brought in to the other vehicle the scrap yard should have never reported the other title was they noticed it didnt match the VIN and should have been returned that title once you brought the correct one in instead.

Alabama Revenue would most likely know more on the subject.


I hope this can help you some.

Sorry.

Thanks guys. I'm going to get with probate court and get an attorney I guess. I hate seeing good folks get ripped off.

I'd lawyer up right now. Then, I'd see if you have grounds for a suit, since it sounds like they initially scrapped a vehicle that they didn't have a title to.

Did they disclose the damage on the Lumina? If not, they're likely in trouble there- in Wyoming, all salvage/rebuilt titles have to be clearly presented to the buyer.

A lawyer can tell you much more than I can. Odds are that with legal suit threats, they'll probably settle with you.

I'm pretty sure they are required to verify the vin on the title matches the vehicle. this could damage thier license. research this and show up ready to make a deal that keeps investigators away from them.

The biggest problem seems to be how do you prove anything? They have both your cars and titles. What paperwork did you get on this car they gave you? Bill of sale, vehicle history, receipt?