How do I find out if the transmission I am going to buy has a clean title?

In other words, how do I find out and make sure it's not stolen?

 

Transmissions do not have titles.

Best you can do is contact the authorities with it's serial/vin number stamped on it and see if it was reported stolen. Do this before you buy it...

 

Uh-oh, sounds like some shady dealin's going on here. Why are you thinking it might be stolen? Are your spidy senses tingling?

 

Well, he did provide me with the serial number for the transmission, but isn't there a VIN # from the car it's from stamped onto the transmission itself too?

Is there a way I can check if it's "clean" without contacting the authorities?

I don't really think it's stolen, but I just want to make sure. Better safe than sorry.

 

How old are you?

Some manufacturers do engrave the vin in the transmission or tag it.

Use your noodle for a second here...

How else besides calling the police department could you know if it had been reported stolen? Or if a similar car had been stolen recently and recovered missing the engine/transmission?

I always call the police and have them search any used vehicle I purchase and run the dogs through it. You don't want a surprise one day... and they also won't prosecute you for anything they find this way.

A better question is why wouldn't you want to call the authorities and ask for their help? You think there's internet registry for stolen transmissions you can search?

 

Well I finally got the VIN# of the vehicle this tranny is from. According to several Acura dealerships, DMV, and local authorities there is no record anywhere of this VIN#. They basically said that the VIN# is non-existant.

So, does this mean the tranny is "clean" if there are no records of the VIN# of the vehicle this tranny was once attached to?

 

I wouldn't worry about it then... In all honesty if your not out being a stupid street racer they would have no reason to check and see if your transmission is stolen anyway...

I mean how many times have you been pulled over and the police officer checks the serial numbers on the cars transmission....

 

Never...

::knocks on wood::


Thanks for you suggestions SiGGy