When purchasing a vehicle who pays the fines associated with the vehicle – the original owner or new owner?
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When purchasing a vehicle who pays the fines associated with the vehicle – the original owner or new owner?
My sister purchased a vehicle from a private owner and when she traveled back home to register it, the DMV informed her that she was not able to register the vehicle because there is about $800 worth of fines. The person she purchased the vehicle from has become unavailable and she needs the car for a job she just offered. This will cause extreme hardships on my sister and I was wondering what we should do?
Asked on July 2, 2012 under Business Law, California
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Under the laws of all states in this country, unless the buyer of the car that your sister purchased disclosed to her that there were $800 in fines associated with the vehicle she purchased before she parted with her money and such was a consideration in the amount paid for the vehicle, the seller is responsible for the $800 in fines.
I suggest that your sister pay the $800 to get the car registered and then sue the seller in small claims court if she can afford to do so.
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