Modern Vespa

should I be worried if the seller doesn't have a title for a 2003 vespa?

Also, is it typical to register a newer bike as an older bike? They toldme that they registered it as a 1981 to get around not having a title. Is that normal?

Thanks,
Rick

that sounds really bad to me. ask for the VIN number and see how they react. and im sure there is a way to check to see if it was stolen.

Sounds like B.S. to me. Here in CA you would have to have it inspected.

Anything after 1985 that doesn't have a title should be avoided.

Oh, I forgot to mention that it is an Italian import. Does that make a difference?

It is the px200 I posted about In "not-so-modern" last week.

Thanks again.

+1

there are ways to do it - just research it. I have in the past titled a bike that didnt have one when I bought it since it was imported. However - dont expect people to respond to you on a public forum about how to work around the law.

not worth it. Total PITA in Pa.

Is it a P series? I've heard of registering a newer scoot as an older one in CA to get around the emission regulations they have there. A newer scooter without a title is a bit troubling. Trust your gut.

I wasn't trying to ask how to get around the law. I just wanted to know if I should be weary of that scooter if he didn't have a title cert.

It is an gray market Italian import. Does that make a difference?

ricky-

While EU VINs do not have a "model year" digit, the VINs are generally traceable to the year of manufacture, if the DMV wishes to expend the energy. However, if it's legally (albeit inaccurately) documented in another state, that open a lot of possibilities.

Where is the vehicle registered? That would be the key issue. If it is registered in a state that does not title a scoot of this category, and the seller transferred the registration to you in the manner that would be used if it were sold to a resident of that state, then NY might very well allow you to title and register based on the info on the registration. In short, once a vehicle makes it onto "the books" of one DMV, other states offer reciprocity. If it's on the books of a "non-title" state, then registration papers properly documenting the transfer of ownership should be sufficient, as one cannot create a title where one does not exist and is not needed for ownership.

So, step one is to determine if it is fully and legally documented (regardless of the alleged year) in one of the 50 states.

Al

I was told that it is registered in Rhode island.

How would I determine if it is fully and legally documented?

I just dont want to buy this scooter if i am going to end up with all kinds of headaches.

Also, i wasnt planning on transfering the registration, i was going to register it in NY at a later date. I was hoping i could just register it with a bill of sales.

NYS titled all vehicles made after 1973, if I'm not mistaken.
I'm not 100% sure whether this applies to scooters, but, insofar as they are just another motorcycle to the DMV, I believe that it does.

I have no idea about Rhode Island.

If the vehicle has a valid registration in one state (even, *shudder*, Rhode Island), then there should be no problem registering it in any other state.
If the registration says 1981, then it's a 1981, end of discussion. You have no reason to question or debate or look up any information about the year of manufacture - the seller told you it was a 1981, it's a 1981 as far as you know.

NYS will require the old reg., a written bill of sale, including date, selling price, VIN, year, and color, an insurance card, your driver license, and a sales tax form, documenting the selling price for the tax people. The sales tax form will want your signature and the seller's, and your SS numbers. They have no way of knowing how much cash you actually gave him for it.

Always bring every piece of documentation you've accumulated over your entire lifetime to the NYS DMV every time you go - that one time that you wait for three hours, only to be told they need to see your Baptismal Certificate will convince you.

- Eric

ok great.

thanks for the info. I really appreciate it.

Rick