07/28/2026
These are common mistakes that people make when it comes to auto titles. The following issues can cause you delays or financial headaches when it comes to these mistakes:
1.Missing Signatures: When the seller and or buyer forgets to sign off on the title, the receiving party can be placed in limbo due to the appropriate signatures that are missing from the title and or supporting documentation. When this happens, trying to track down the applicable party to sign the title and documents will become a thing and the longer it takes the longer the receiving party will be without a title.
2. Incorrect Odometer Readings: Providing the wrong odometer reading and or checking the wrong odometer reading box is not only a federal offense but will also decrease the value of the vehicle. It's always a bad idea to "guesstimate" the odometer reading, so be sure what the odometer reading is before you sell the vehicle and provide this information on the title. Also keep in mind, that when you provide the incorrect odometer reading, or you scribble/write over the wrong odometer reading on a title (after you realize that you wrote down the incorrect reading).. it will not be an easy fix to get the reading corrected by DMV and sometimes you may be forced to deal with the consequence by having a NOT ACTUAL odometer brand on your title, due to the mistake.
3. Waiting too Long to Transfer Ownership: Unfortunately, some people will delay or hold off on going to the DMV to change the title over into their name for reasons such as the vehicle they bought needs repairs and they aren't ready to drive it yet or they plan on giving the vehicle and title to a relative a later time and they aren't in a hurry to visit the DMV. While both of these examples might be legit.. it is never a good idea to delay TRANSFERRING THE AUTO TITLE OVER INTO YOUR NAME. The worst thing that happens often is that the title becomes lost or damaged in the process. If this occurs, now you the buyer must track down the seller (the person who sold you the vehicle), to get a replacement title and sometimes the person is no longer reachable.. so now you are stuck with a vehicle that you have no title to.