[67oneton]

Arizona DMV has a few ways through this wormhole.

1. If no title, they will do a VIN search. This is a Level II inspection (you bring vehicle to their facility).

If VIN comes back stolen, your vehicle is immediately impounded (can be as simple as a $500 frame/chassis or a $500k collector car like a title washed Shelby).

2. If VIN is clean, they check the door/dash plate with frame stampings and other numbers marked by the OEM.

If the numbers don't match or you have non-OEM fasteners (eg., sheet metal screws rather than the proper steel rivets) - start your yoga and bring the lubricant. Worst case; they impound the vehicle. Likely case, you're going to vista the courts. Best case, they deny title and send you back (although you leave with vehicle, minus some processing fees).

3. If everything checks out up to this point...AZ DMV will print and affix a permanent AZ VIN stamp to the vehicle and create a new title to match. (you'll want to have lots of documented proof of ownership with notary stamps and all).

Or...the DMV might register the vehicle as a "owner constructed" unit and give it a new title, VIN, etc. Unfortunately, the vehicle is now considered a 2010 (assuming this year) model and must meet 2010 AZ Emissions tests, etc.

OUCH.....up to this point.

However, the economic collapse of '09 has a silver lining. I recently bought a truck in Colorado and took it down to my local AZ DMV. Normally, out of state vehicles (regardless of paper) need an inspection before plates. The DMV's budget got cut by the state (AZ is going broke like California). They gave me plates without the inspection. Evidently, Level II's are more the exception than the rule.


Long answer to a simple question. Bottom line - I would not buy a vehicle for use in AZ without a real title. Would also not buy on a GA Bill of Sale. Too much risk that some day down the road, somebody shows contesting ownership and my car/truck gets locked up in some storage yard as I pay lawyers.