Why Dealers Don't Give Car Titles

Dealerships often don't have titles for cars on their lot because of a finance agreement called a floor plan or floor line. This means the cars are financed through a line of credit, with the finance company holding the title until the dealer pays off the vehicle. If a dealer fails to pay off the vehicle, they can't transfer the title to you. This issue arises if the dealer prioritizes other expenses over settling the floor plan.

For example, a client recently bought a car and couldn’t get the title because the dealer hadn’t paid off the lender. The dealer then stopped responding and ceased operations, leaving multiple customers without titles. If this happens, consumers can negotiate with the floor plan lender, file a consumer restitution complaint with the dealer licensing board, or seek a court-ordered title.

Visit www.cartitles.com for assistance with title issues and to improve your odds of getting the right kind of vehicle.