ILLEGAL? Selling Car with Known Lien - Is This Legal - Do I Have A Case?

Question

n March 2008, I traded my 96 Grand Am + $900 for a 1978 Chevy K10 4x4 Truck.

I live in Arizona (Maricopa County)

After I bought it, it had some mechanical problems the guy did not mention, so I did not drive it for about 3 weeks, then I got a 15 day permit online so I could drive it, and at the end of the 15 days I took the title in to get it registered, and they said I could not since it had a restitution lien for $202 on it from Maricopa County Arizona. (Where I Live).

I called the guy, and he said he just found out about it, and would pay it when he got paid. He emailed me on the 21st saying he paid it.

I never heard back from him, so I called the MVD and said it still had the unpaid lien. I called the maricopa county office and they said he knew about the lien since JANUARY!

I have been trying to get in contact with this guy since then, and nothing, he wont return my calls or emails.

Should I take him to small claims court, or get a lawyer and sue him? HELP!

Answer 1

yes by all means take him to small claims court document everything and take it all to court with you. what he did was illegal he should of givin you a title wasnt you a little leary when he didnt give you the title of the truck? best of luck to ya

Answer 2

It's just $200 so I'd pay the lein and take him to small claims court. Don't get a Lawyer because it would cost you more for the Lawyer than for the money to pay it off.

Answer 3

of course it is

Answer 4

Did the lien show on the title you had?  If so, you knew on purchase and should have fixed it before you bought it.

If it didn't show on the title he gave you, and it only showed up at the DMV, you have a clear case against him for fraud.  Take him to small claims court.