CA buyers: Buying your BRZ or FR-S out-of-state

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by mf0722

They assumed where I intend to register the car since they sent me a completed Application For Registration form for California (Reg 343).

My issue is mainly with the advice given that the included letter may be acceptable proof of VIN verification. It may be good enough in other states, but if it isn't in California, that information can only help Heuberger and Californians considering buying a car from another state. I'll find out on Monday.

Yes, if you do find out add to the thread.

As for the intent to register, put it this way: most (if not all) states require some type of verification of VIN/vehicle to register a car. They do not assume the paperwork to be 100% valid unless verified by a 3rd party. Thus, this paperwork may just be a formality that is part of the car buying process that we usually don't see when we buy within our home state.

Keep in mind that several pieces of paperwork are filed when you title a car (that the dealer does on your behalf, and you never see it), and this may be one of them. Perhaps it's just a local requirement in CO that isn't in any other state.

I feel like @HeubergerMotors needs to chime in

-alex

[SPCorBUST]

part of the CO>CA group. very happy with the purchase, it went super smooth. the drive back was great, i wish i didn't have to hightail it out of there to be at work the next day. the drive through CO and UT was great, but NV and CA sucked since its just desert.

[HeubergerMotors]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Yes, if you do find out add to the thread.

As for the intent to register, put it this way: most (if not all) states require some type of verification of VIN/vehicle to register a car. They do not assume the paperwork to be 100% valid unless verified by a 3rd party. Thus, this paperwork may just be a formality that is part of the car buying process that we usually don't see when we buy within our home state.

Keep in mind that several pieces of paperwork are filed when you title a car (that the dealer does on your behalf, and you never see it), and this may be one of them. Perhaps it's just a local requirement in CO that isn't in any other state.

I feel like @HeubergerMotors needs to chime in

-alex

Jackie doesn't call individual customers as that's completely unrealistic. She only looks at the paperwork and completes what is needed of her ... As she doesn't "assume", where you're registering the vehicle. In my thread that's why I put how you'd like it to be titled to spark exactly where it'll be titled.

As far as extra paperwork Alex is correct we have to meet both state of colorado requirements and California.

Again please remain patient, If possible, as Jackie is responsible for 400+ cars a month.

Also helps to reach out towards me or your specific salesmen as its hard for me to remember everyone's username.

We're quite friendly and just a phone call away

:-)

Thanks Alex for being such a profound resource for Colorado to California buyer. Your knowledge is much appreciated send me your address to phone....

Clint

[tonylop33]

I was at DMV today to register my CO-> CA car. I had a Reg 31 form already completed. I asked DMV if the Heuberger supplied verification letter would work since I saw this post. The answer was clearly "no". Had I not had Reg 31 with me, I would have had to wait a very long time in a very long line at DMV to have them verify and complete the Reg 31 form. DMV can do the verification but it slow things down. I had it done at my local police department before I went to DMV.

[womensecks]

Clint, I shot you an email and haven't heard anything yet. Get at me!

[mf0722]

Originally Posted by mf0722

For those who have recently purchased from out-of-state and received a VIN verification from the dealer, was this accepted by the California DMV or did you have to provide CA DMV form Reg 31 completed by someone in-state? Heuberger supplied me with a VIN verification letter on their letterhead signed by an inspector. I talked to Jackie in Heuberger's title department, who said she believed the letter would be accepted by the CA DMV.

Here's the answer: Not Acceptable

I drove by my local DMV today and went in to see if a vehicle inspection could be done quickly without having an appointment. There was no line for inspections so I drove in. An inspector came out and did my inspection in about five minutes. So I'm good to register on Monday! After he finished, I showed him the letter from Heuberger Motors and asked him if it was adequate documentation for registration in lieu of a completed Reg 31 form. He said even though the letter contained the required information, the answer is NO. The only VIN/vehichle verification accepted by the CA DMV is form Reg 31 completed by the appropriate individuals as listed on the form. So if you plan to register a car in California and have received a vehicle/VIN verification form or letter from some entity outside of California, don't assume the CA DMV will accept it even if you are told they will or should. Just get CA DMV form Reg 31 completed by the correct personnel and be done with it.

[HeubergerMotors]

[QUOTE=mf0722;1210734]Here's the answer: [B]Not Acceptable

Then by all means please send me an email clinte@hmtrs.com with WHAT is acceptable and needs to be done. I will be happy to present it to Jackie and the rest of my team to ensure thoroughness.

[ihaskrayon]

They sent me some papers and a check and the DMV didn't ask me any questions. All I had to do was sign a few spots and pay my registration and it was a done deal.

[tonylop33]

Originally Posted by ihaskrayon

They sent me some papers and a check and the DMV didn't ask me any questions. All I had to do was sign a few spots and pay my registration and it was a done deal.

You did not have to have a vehicle verification (Form Reg 31) done? Or did they do it for you at the time you registered? Two of us have had DMV offices confirm that the letter for the dealer does not replace the Calif DMV Verification form. This isn't terrible, it just takes a little more time and has to be done before you can finish the process.

The below is directly form the DMV site

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm

"The vehicle must be inspected by an authorized DMV employee, law enforcement officer, or a licensed vehicle verifier. These inspections are most easily obtained by bringing the vehicle to the nearest DMV. There is no charge for the inspection."


"You always need...

• Application for Title or Registration (REG 343)
• Out–of–State Registration Certificate
• Verification of Vehicle (REG 343)
• Appropriate Fees

You may also need...
(see details below)

• Out–of–State Title
• Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form – Bill of Sale, Odometer Disclosure, and Power of Attorney (REG 262)
• Lien Satisfied Statement (REG 166) (PDF)
• Declaration of Gross Vehicle/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (REG 4008) (PDF)
• Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Application/Certification (REG 4017) (PDF)
• Statement of Facts (REG 256)
• Smog Certification
• Weight Certificate"

[hanabie]

They might tell him to come back again.

I, on the other hands, saved my own hassle. I went there to register my car. They told me they would like to verify my VIN. After verifying my brz, I went to the booth/window to proceed the paperwork. The girl told me that I did not have to pay tax because it was already paid. People could be happy when they could save few thousands from avoiding the tax. I told the girl to verify that. Yeah, in the end it was her mistake.

You need to get every steps done. Otherwise, they will just send you the letter to get u back to complete the paperwork. Good luck

[mf0722]

Originally Posted by hanabie

They might tell him to come back again.

I, on the other hands, saved my own hassle. I went there to register my car. They told me they would like to verify my VIN. After verifying my brz, I went to the booth/window to proceed the paperwork. The girl told me that I did not have to pay tax because it was already paid. People could be happy when they could save few thousands from avoiding the tax. I told the girl to verify that. Yeah, in the end it was her mistake.

You need to get every steps done. Otherwise, they will just send you the letter to get u back to complete the paperwork. Good luck

I had a similar experience with AAA Auto Club. I called them to ask about getting just a VIN verification done on my BRZ so I wouldn't have to do it at the DMV at the time of my registration appointment. The CS woman I spoke to said why not do the registration at my local AAA office since AAA does out of state car registration. I told her the car was brand new and I heard that out of state cars with less than 7500 miles on the odometer could not be registered through AAA. She checked and found that was indeed the case, something of which she was not aware. Consequently, since I could not complete the registration through AAA, she said they would not do a VIN verification for me either . Apparently, at AAA, VIN verification is part of their auto registration process and is not available as an individual service. YMMV, of course, just like the possibility of a VIN verification letter from a dealer being honored by the CA DMV. Check first and verify.

[SPCorBUST]

the process was relatively painless. did my smog, made an appointment with the dmv, took my paperwork in along with my temp reg that was slapped on there and got it all handled in one shot.

the packet pretty much has everything you need, i just had to sign in a few places like everyone else.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by HeubergerMotors

Then by all means please send me an email clinte@hmtrs.com with WHAT is acceptable and needs to be done. I will be happy to present it to Jackie and the rest of my team to ensure thoroughness.

Clint, what your dealer can't provide is the DMV verification of VIN form that can only be completed by someone that is authorized to do so in the state of California.

That link for the form is already posted. About the only thing you can do to make it easier is to print out a copy of it and send it along with the Certificate of Origin (and other paperwork) with a note that says "verify at DMV or with police agency".

Anyone that does not have this piece of paperwork filled out (and also not filling out a "Statement of Facts" stating your date of first entry into CA) are not given the proper paperwork by the DMV. As is the case with most things in life, if you have all the stated paperwork prepared then you'll have no issues.

The DMV is really easy to use if you know how they work... which is to have all their required paperwork ready before you show up. You can even fill out the Statement of Facts before you arrive if you know what to write on there.

-alex

[Silverpike]

Incoming 2014 owner here, taking delivery in October. This thread is completely awesome and I'm so glad you guys took the time to write this up.

I also want to say that Clint is the best thing to happen to internet car sales in my 20 years of driving.