What would happen if someone sold a car and their name wasn't on the title?

Tommy Durrenberger: Is the friend a minor and a dependent of the mother?Edit: No she can't legally do that, but at the same time she'll probably have trouble finding a buyer because of it.Edit: As far as I know a junkyard is required to confirm the identity of the seller as the actual owner....Show more

Irma Poiter: You cannot sell a car to which you do not have title.If he's a minor, however, then his parent actually can do this.Update: If his name is the only one on the title, the mother cannot sell it. Regardless of who paid for it, who pays insurance, etc. A reputable junkyard will ask for the title and have title conveyed to them (I actually just did this, as one of my cars was totaled in an accident). A dishonest junkyard (e.g., a "chop shop") would look the other way.If someone buys the car, she's going to have to forge his signature. Given it's a forgery, the sale wouldn't be legal and the buyer would be required to return the (essentially stolen) car an! d be repaid.Yes, the car would be considered stolen. The mother, in addition to possible forgery charges, would also face grand theft auto charges, which could lead to jail. Even if not (which actually wouldn't be likely), she'd still be a convicted felon if found guilty. That's pretty serious.Even if not charged with GTA, she'd still could be sued by the buyer, as well as her son....Show more

Sheron Perrez: So what would happen if she tried to sell it, and somehow someone bought it anyway. Would she get in any trouble with the law?

Shena Etulain: What about if she were to try and sell it to a junkyard or something?

Cliff Jacoby: She can not sell the car if she is not on the title. In order to sell a car, the person on the title is required to "sign over the title" and the signature must be notarized.

Antone Bual: No, he is not a minor. His mother just doesn't understand that because she gave him the car as a gift, doesn't make it her property. H! is name is on the title, he pays the insurance, he pays for th! e gas and repairs on it. It's his.