Received salvage title after buying truck off of Craigslist from a local police officer

[gpnews]

Jurisdiction

Missouri

I bought a truck off of Craigslist from a local police officer. When I asked if it had been involved in any accidents, his reply was "no". When I asked if it had any problems he knew of, same reply. He also stated several times, "if you have any problems, just let me know. I am really anal about vehicles I sell. He reported that the vehicle had no issues, had been is father's truck, but since his father no longer could drive, he had bought the truck off of him. He said he owned the truck a couple of years. Super nice truck, well kept up and in good shape. He reported as soon as I contacted him that he had 3 appts. set up for that evening and next day. However he was willing to sell to the first person with $8900. We met and after a extremely short test drive, just down the hill to gas station and back. Less than mile, he wanted us back in a few minutes. Since my bank was closed, I had to write him a check. Once my check cleared, he sent the title in the mail. To my immediate horror, I noticed it was a salvage title. Meaning I cant get full coverage insurance, and quite possibly, over paid by a few thousand dollars. I bought the truck for my 21 year old daughter, who has since reported a few issues with the truck. The dual exhaust bracket is broken,(no big deal) and if she drives above 55, the entire truck shakes violently. I told the officer about the problem with exhaust, and he said nothing other than it would not be covered by any warranty. I just learned about the shaking yesterday.
I have NOT spoken to or texted him since I received the title. I paid by check on Jan 2, 2016 and received title yesterday, Jan 16, 2016. I am not sure how to handle the situation. He KNEW it had a salvaged title, both my daughter and I asked about any accidents. He did finally say as we were about to drive off, "oh there was a very minor incident with a deer but it did absolutely no damage to it". I am trying to get the truck inspected by a mechanic and verify the engine and tranny are original and see what types of problems there really are with the truck. After that, I will try to sit down and write a report as to what was asked and answered, and by whom. The original Craigslist ad said title was clean, thus the salvage title was completely unseen. What choices do I have, if any?My daughter really loves the truck and wants to keep it, which I can understand, but I do not agree that she should keep the truck. I think it will turn into a money pit. The title showed purchase date of 8/29/2013 but issue date was months later on 11/04/2013. I believe his dad bought the truck wrecked, and the title was yet in his dad's name, not his. Several lies have been exposed by talking with him on several occasions and I am thinking our best course of action might be to show up at the police station and ask to speak to his boss and possibly file title fraud charges against him, all without talking to him prior. Is this a good ideal or not?He is also a reality salesman and we met him at his office. But what should we ask for in way of a refund in amount and/or fixing any issues with the truck. She has only had it for two weeks now.?. Any help would be appreciated greatly. I do realize I know nothing of the real condition of the truck and have no idea what happened for it to be considered a total loss. Thank you.Pam

 

[army judge]

All citizen to citizen car sales are always sold "AS-IS", unless a written warranty says otherwise.

Never buy ANYTHING off of KILLERSLIST. Why?

If you LIVE to take it away, rest assured you've been SCREWED.

You are free to do what you think will best benefit your interests.

That said, if he were to be asked his version of the events that took place during the sale, rest assured his version will be the complete opposite of yours.

My guess, you're stuck with your recently acquired bucket of salvaged bolts you paid generously to buy, almost $9,000 US DOLLARS to be exact.

 

[gpnews]

Thats 3 quarters of the point, he never mentioned anywhere about it being a salvaged vehicle. Is this not salvage fraud, and isnt that against the law? That being said, I have bought and sold items on Craigslist, I certainly never screwed anybody or did it so I could kill them! Small towns have very limited rescorses and not all are good..Thank you for answering my question. Anybody else want to share their opinion?

 

[army judge]

I own a ranch in Texas' Hill Country.
We run anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 head of cattle.
We also pump oil, lots of beautiful black stuff, from our four working wells.
The nearest town is about 20 miles away.
That town's population is about 1,500.
I grew up on a ranch nearby, that's owned today by my brother.
I DO KNOW what small towns are all about.
I've never traded on KILLERSLIST.
I'll never trade on KILLERSLIST.
I am happy to hear your experiences have gone well, until this one, of course.


http://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Publications/Brochures/documents/SHP-469.pdf




That said, read on:



https://www.mshp.dps.missouri.gov/MSHPWeb/Publications/Forms/documents/SHP-498.pdf

Avoiding Salvage Fraud

Salvage fraud is a crime that occurs when an unethical motor vehicle dealer purchases a salvaged vehicle, makes a few minor repairs, and sells the car or truck to a customer who is unaware of the vehicle's history.

To minimize the risk of salvage fraud, it's important to be cautious when buying a used motor vehicle. Remember the following tips:

Run a vehicle history report to find out more about the car's past.
Have a qualified mechanic of your own choosing inspect the vehicle.
Test drive the vehicle under a number of different road conditions.


(OPINION) --- Your state discusses salvage fraud from a dealer. I don't see any mention of private seller to private buyer as fraud.

(MORE OPINION) --- Your state discusses private vehicle sales

Buying and Selling a Used Vehicle - GVIP

FACT-NOT OPINION-Note: Vehicles sold with Junk, Salvage, or Rebuild titles or vehicles purchased at a public auction are exempt from these dealer requirements. If you purchase a used vehicle through any of these means, you are fully responsible for the cost to repair the vehicle to pass the emission inspection or receive a waiver.

Vehicles Bought from a Private Individual

Private sellers of vehicles are required to provide the purchaser with a current emissions test approval or waiver for the vehicle prior to sale. The vehicle purchaser has 90 days from the date on the emissions compliance certificate test to use it to register the vehicle. (643.315.1, Missouri Revised Statutes).



This information can be discovered through your state's DOR:

http://dor.mo.gov/forms/4698.pdf

 

[army judge]

More fact:

What sales are exempt from reporting to the department?
A seller is not required to submit a NOS form on the following units:

Vehicles with a salvage title or junking certificate;
Repossessed vehicles (at the time the repossession title is obtained);
Vehicles awarded by a declaratory judgment;
Vehicles sold to a dealer;
Vehicles sold to an out of state purchaser;
Vehicles transferred to a transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary. If the TOD beneficiary assigns the title to another purchaser, the sale must be reported;
Vehicles transferred to beneficiaries named in a trust or from an individual to their trust;
Manufactured homes;
Vessels and outboard motors; and
Vehicles transferred to insurance companies due to a total loss claim.