Dealership fails (refuses? :/ ) to turn over the title

[Sidewinder]

So I paid cash for a 2025 Equinox and drove it off the lot on 31 December.

 

I spent a lot of January in Hawaii, unconcerned with workaday things...

 

I email the salesman at the Chevy dealership in Eden Prairie MN asking when I'm going to receive the title.

 

(They ARE supposed to mail me the title, with "No Security Interest" showing, immediately upon the car being paid for, yes?)

 

No response to two emails.

 

I also (March sometime?) get a text from the dealership asking how it's all going and if there's anything they can do for me, I respond yeah; maybe tell me where the title is.

 

No response to my text; I send another one weeks later and also no response.

 

What's my move here?  Just keep on pestering them, or do I get to "turn them in" to the state for official punitive action...  (I like that idea  (devil emoji))

[MarvBear]

I am going to assume based on your post the State of your residency is MN.   Minnesota uses an ELT service.  You should be able to check with your State DMV to check status.

[Sidewinder]

3 hours ago, MarvBear said:

I am going to assume based on your post the State of your residency is MN.   Minnesota uses an ELT service.  You should be able to check with your State DMV to check status.

 

A) "based on my post??"  I thought I was CB's Minnesotan of Record

 

2) I was given paper yes paper titles for my Corolla (bought at Luther Toyota, Golden Valley in 2015) and my Corvette (bought at Minnesota Truck Headquarters in Brainerd last August).

 

Is ELT like a "well-qualified buyers" type thing or what...

[MarvBear]

Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) systems are a modern, paperless method used by state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) and lending institutions to manage vehicle title and lien information electronically. They are designed to streamline the process, reduce fraud, and improve efficiency compared to traditional paper-based systems.

 

Here's a breakdown of how they generally work:

1. Participation and Setup:

• Lienholders (Lenders): Financial institutions that provide vehicle loans (e.g., banks, credit unions, dealerships that offer financing) typically enroll in the state's ELT program. This often involves completing an intake form, signing a service level agreement with the DMV, and potentially working with an authorized third-party ELT service provider. This service provider acts as an intermediary, facilitating the electronic exchange of information between the lienholder and the DMV.
• DMV/MVA (Motor Vehicle Agency): The state's motor vehicle agency implements and maintains the ELT system, often collaborating with ELT service providers to ensure seamless data exchange.

2. New Lien Recording (When a loan is taken out):

• When a vehicle is purchased with a loan, the lienholder files the necessary paperwork with the state's DMV, similar to how they would for a paper title.
• Crucially, they include an "ELT ID Number" or similar identification that tells the DMV which electronic account the lien should be associated with.
• Instead of issuing a physical paper title certificate to the lienholder, the DMV records the lien electronically in its database.
• An electronic notification of the perfected lien is then sent to the lienholder (often through their ELT service provider), confirming that their interest in the vehicle has been recorded. The title itself exists only in electronic form in the state's system.

3. Managing Electronic Liens:

• Lienholders can access and manage their electronic liens through a secure online portal provided by the ELT service provider or the DMV. This allows them to view lien information, track statuses, and perform other related tasks.
• The electronic nature of the system improves data accuracy, as it reduces manual data entry errors.

4. Lien Release (When a loan is paid off):

• When the vehicle loan is satisfied (paid off), the lienholder electronically releases their lien through their ELT service provider or directly with the DMV.
• The DMV is immediately notified of the lien satisfaction.
• Once the lien is released, the electronic title becomes "lien-free." At this point, the state DMV typically takes one of two actions:
  • Mails a paper title to the vehicle owner: This is a common practice in many states, where the electronic title is converted to a paper title and sent to the owner once the lien is satisfied.
  • Keeps the title electronic: Some states are moving towards keeping titles electronic even after the lien is satisfied, allowing the owner to request a paper title only when needed (e.g., for selling the vehicle or moving out of state).

5. Requesting a Paper Title:

• Even with an electronic title, vehicle owners can usually request a physical paper title from the DMV if they need one (e.g., for selling the vehicle to a private party, transferring it to another state, or in cases of repossession). There may be a small fee for this.

Benefits of ELT Systems:

• Reduced Fraud: Electronic titles are less susceptible to counterfeiting, alteration, theft, and other forms of title fraud.
• Increased Efficiency and Faster Processing: Eliminates the need for physical handling, storage, and mailing of paper titles, leading to quicker lien notifications, releases, and title transfers.
• Cost Savings: Reduces administrative costs for both DMVs and lienholders related to printing, mailing, and storing paper documents.
• Improved Data Accuracy: Electronic exchange of information minimizes data entry errors.
• Environmental Benefits: Reduces paper consumption.
• Enhanced Security: Digital records are stored in secure, encrypted databases.
• Easier Lien Management: Lienholders have a centralized, accessible platform to view and manage their liens.
• Better Customer Service: Faster processes and reduced errors lead to a more efficient experience for vehicle owners.

In essence, ELT systems modernize the vehicle titling process, making it more secure, efficient, and convenient for all parties involved.

[8ball]

The other thing that the ELT system seems to allow, in MN anyway, is immediate license plates. The kid got a new Honda HRV and the dealer put on the new plates before we left the dealership. 

He did get a paper title mailed to him about 4 weeks later. 

[MarvBear]

Yes, here in FL we are an ELT State.  I get assigned real metal plates that I can issue on the spot, can also transfer your tag to your newly purchased vehicle should you need a new plate.

[Sidewinder]

4 hours ago, 8ball said:

The other thing that the ELT system seems to allow, in MN anyway, is immediate license plates. The kid got a new Honda HRV and the dealer put on the new plates before we left the dealership. 

He did get a paper title mailed to him about 4 weeks later. 

 

My Equinox had temporary paper plateoids when I drove it off the lot; yon dealership mailed me the real metal plates weeks later.

 

Weren't they then supposed to fork over the paper title? (Noting that I've bought two cars previously in MN and that in both cases the titling was paper-like; ELT schmELT.

 

 

[8ball]

19 hours ago, Sidewinder said:

 

My Equinox had temporary paper plateoids when I drove it off the lot; yon dealership mailed me the real metal plates weeks later.

 

Weren't they then supposed to fork over the paper title? (Noting that I've bought two cars previously in MN and that in both cases the titling was paper-like; ELT schmELT.

 

 

The Honda was purchased from Richfield, Bloomington Honda. I was surprised when the salesman said at the end they were putting the plates on. And yes, we did get the paper title in about 4 weeks.