Different color vehicle titles

[Mechanic2022]

Hi, I’m going to buy my first car(2018 mustang GT) in US and not much familiar with the process.

what does different color title means?
I have attached the title of the car that I might purchase. (Sorry for the bad quality image as it was sent to me by the seller)

Also, I couldn’t find anything on carfax and auto check

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[ice445]

I'd be very concerned since it used to have a GA title. Probably means it was reconstructed at some point. I forget the process but there's a way to "wash" titles using those states to make it "clean" again after a total loss. The fact you can't find any vin history on it is also concerning.

Pass.

 

[Skye]

I'd be very concerned since it used to have a GA title. Probably means it was reconstructed at some point. I forget the process but there's a way to "wash" titles using those states to make it "clean" again after a total loss. The fact you can't find any vin history on it is also concerning.

Pass.

https://arkansasag.gov/consumer-protection/automobile/salvage-titles/

There was a comment in the subject line about different colored titles, so I went out to the AR website.

In the state of AR, and possibly others, one can purchase a car deemed salvage, rebuild or repair it, and resell the vehicle. Further, in the state of AR, if the vehicle is more than 7 years old, salvage laws don't even apply.

I always thought, that with extensive damage from accident or flood, an insurance company would mark as salvage and it's branded for life.

But as @ice445 points out, differing state laws can gift people a way to strip off all the ugly stuff.

Curious, is the seller an individual, rural dealer with a few cars on the lot, or a dealership, like Ford, Chevy or Dodge? If asked, how do they explain the complete lack of history?

 

[Cobra Jet]

Hi, I’m going to buy my first car(2018 mustang GT) in US and not much familiar with the process.

what does different color title means?
I have attached the title of the car that I might purchase. (Sorry for the bad quality image as it was sent to me by the seller)

Also, I couldn’t find anything on carfax and auto check

If you're buying any vehicle from overseas (doesn't matter which way), you better research the Seller or any Selling Entity online - or get as much info as you can about the Seller BEFORE paying any deposit or paying in full. Even with a deposit, always make sure the deposit is refundable if you decline or back out of a potential purchase. Get EVERYTHING in writing and even with that, go over the docs completely - research any names or addresses on the docs. Even ask someone that may be near the location to go and check things out to see if the business is legit (or not).

There's way too many scams and I've seen it go both ways where folks here are ripped off from trying to buy something overseas or a person in your position trying to buy from here from overseas. Once the scammers lure you in and have your money OR your car they're GONE. Many laws don't apply for recovery of it since it's crossing international lines. It's a long legal fight for any recovery of the vehicle OR money.

Higher a vehicle inspection service to actually go to the car and give you a very thorough report of its overall condition, value and any photos/videos of the car. They're Pros, they know what to look for and it's worth a couple hundred bucks to do such a thing when you're thousands of miles away.

I tried looking up that VIN, there's nothing online for it. Who knows what it's prior history is at this point. Put a request on here for someone to run an OASIS or ETIS on the VIN, that will at least give you a little more info (1FATP8FF0J5150218).

 

[2022 Mach 1]

Well here is your problem

 

[Mechanic2022]

https://arkansasag.gov/consumer-protection/automobile/salvage-titles/

There was a comment in the subject line about different colored titles, so I went out to the AR website.

In the state of AR, and possibly others, one can purchase a car deemed salvage, rebuild or repair it, and resell the vehicle. Further, in the state of AR, if the vehicle is more than 7 years old, salvage laws don't even apply.

I always thought, that with extensive damage from accident or flood, an insurance company would mark as salvage and it's branded for life.

But as @ice445 points out, differing state laws can gift people a way to strip off all the ugly stuff.

Curious, is the seller an individual, rural dealer with a few cars on the lot, or a dealership, like Ford, Chevy or Dodge? If asked, how do they explain the complete lack of history?

It’s a private seller. Says he’s the 1st owner.

the car is in Chicago Illinois and is not registered. He told me since he owns a dealership, he doesn’t had to register the car as it was under dealerships name. Is that true?

He’s selling it for $20k and the car has 9k miles

 

[Mechanic2022]

If you're buying any vehicle from overseas (doesn't matter which way), you better research the Seller or any Selling Entity online - or get as much info as you can about the Seller BEFORE paying any deposit or paying in full. Even with a deposit, always make sure the deposit is refundable if you decline or back out of a potential purchase. Get EVERYTHING in writing and even with that, go over the docs completely - research any names or addresses on the docs. Even ask someone that may be near the location to go and check things out to see if the business is legit (or not).

There's way too many scams and I've seen it go both ways where folks here are ripped off from trying to buy something overseas or a person in your position trying to buy from here from overseas. Once the scammers lure you in and have your money OR your car they're GONE. Many laws don't apply for recovery of it since it's crossing international lines. It's a long legal fight for any recovery of the vehicle OR money.

Higher a vehicle inspection service to actually go to the car and give you a very thorough report of its overall condition, value and any photos/videos of the car. They're Pros, they know what to look for and it's worth a couple hundred bucks to do such a thing when you're thousands of miles away.

I tried looking up that VIN, there's nothing online for it. Who knows what it's prior history is at this point. Put a request on here for someone to run an OASIS or ETIS on the VIN, that will at least give you a little more info (1FATP8FF0J5150218).

Thank you for all the info!!! Really appreciate it.

FYI I’m going to see the car in person today. Idk the deal seems to good to be true 2018 mustang with 9k miles for $20k

 

[ice445]

It’s a private seller. Says he’s the 1st owner.

the car is in Chicago Illinois and is not registered. He told me since he owns a dealership, he doesn’t had to register the car as it was under dealerships name. Is that true?

He’s selling it for $20k and the car has 9k miles

Yeah, there's your answer. It's probably a reconstructed title that was "washed" through Arkansas. A 401A convertible from a reputable seller is at least 44K right now.

The VIN being invalid is the biggest red flag to me, beyond all these other inconsistencies. I believe all S550 VIN numbers should start with "FA6P", but I could be wrong on that. The vehicle's history is being intentionally hidden. Not many other reasons to do that other than a total loss, or theft. No bank is going to do a loan for an invalid VIN either.

Great lesson to learn in life, if something seems to good to be true, it is.

 

[Mechanic2022]

Well here is your problem

Hmmmmm so strange. How is it showing on other websites?

can you please share the website link?

 

[2022 Mach 1]

https://www.ford.com/support/

 

[Qcman17]

lt looks like plastic wrap on the floor of the passenger side in that interior video I wonder what that's about? I run as far as Hell from this car........

 

[Mike Pfeifer]

Way too many red flags on this car.

 

[Mechanic2022]

Ignoring this worst car market. How much should these get convertible go for?

for example how much would a 2016/2017 Gt would’ve costed back in 2019/2020?

 

[ORRadtech]

I believe all S550 VIN numbers should start with "FA6P", but I could be wrong on that.

Great lesson to learn in life, if something seems to good to be true, it is.

FWIW my '18 Ecoboost Premium has a VIN that starts with 1FATP8U.
The thing is even higher mileage '18 EB convertibles are selling in the $20k range right now. There's no way in hell a legit dealer is going to sell a clean GT for that.
There's something seriously wrong here. If you know anyone in law enforcement I'd ask them to run the car and see what happens. It might be particularly interesting/ funny to have them look at the car - if it's even there - with you.

 

[Mechanic2022]

FYI this is the car https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/765476741394058/

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