yeah, that’s not what “clean title” means

Interesting CL ad just popped up.

1997 E250-based campervan.  They are ugly but I really like cabover bed arrangement; it frees up a ton of floorspace.  1997 has OBDii which is on my must-have list.  And if ugly==cheaper then I am all for it.

It appears to be in fair condition and priced at $5k.  If it’s in functional shape I’d go look at it.

So I follow my own first rule:  ask the seller if the vehicle is a non-salvage title  in their name.  The answer:

I bought it 2 weeks ago, 2 days after I bought it a bigger RV became available that I call home now . I have not registered the van as of yet. I have a clean title for it though.

No, if it’s not in your name you don’t have a clean title for it.  I already own one vehicle I can’t register because it was not in the seller’s name.  Luckily that one was a $100 chinese scooter that I still blast around the property with and will be able to use in states that don’t register 50cc scoots.

I do think the seller is probably telling the truth:

I bought it 2 weeks ago, 2 days after I bought it a bigger RV became available that I call home now . I have not registered the van as of yet.

and I could ask to see his current RV if I went to see it, but I am not going to risk it.

Update:   since the seller seems to be a good guy (and a ‘dweller) I went back and forth with him a bit to explain the problem.  He understands now he doesn’t really own the vehicle until it’s titled.  He will relist if/when it is titled in his name.  I’ll be watching for it.