|
to answer the first question: Yes. if there is an active lien on the car, then when you title / register it in your name, the lien-holder will require satisfaction of the lien. They won't care what condition it was in when you got the car, they'd look at the property now and expect it to be used to satisfy their interests in it.... which is exactly the purpose of a lien.
The DMV should be able to get you the lien-holder's name and contact info. You can get them to send you a lien-release, showing their lien has been satisfied. I'd consider that Gold. without it, I wouldn't spend a DIME on the car.
I've personally been through this process myself, and it turned-out just fine for me. The lien shown at the DMV was an old one, satisfied long-previously.
But I'd be sure I get everything lined-up in a row before I spent any money I wasn't prepared to part with.
|