Here at PA Auction Center, our monthly Construction and Large Equipment Auction includes dozens of titled vehicles and equipment. From cars to trailers to campers to boats to ATVs, consignors are regularly filling our lot with titled treasures for our buyers! But without a clean title ready to go in the office, these vehicles can quickly transform from treasures into major headaches. Below are some tips for customers who are considering consigning or buying a vehicle at our auction.

For Consignors…

When you bring a titled vehicle to PA Auction Center, you will need to bring your driver’s license and the vehicle title. We will ask you to sign a Vehicle POA (Power of Attorney), which gives PA Auction Center the authority to sign the title for that specific vehicle on behalf of the title holder when the vehicle sells. This is also the reason we need to see your driver’s license; in order to notarize the POA, the notary is required to prove the identity of the person signing the document.

A few things to remember -

• NEVER write on, mark, stamp, or make any changes to a title in any way unless you are in the presence of a notary.
• Make sure the title is in your name.
• If the front of the title lists more than one name, both of the people named on the title may need to present IDs and sign the POA. If the names are separated by the word, “or,” either of the named owners can sign; if the names are separated by the word, “and,” BOTH the named owners MUST sign.
• If the title is in a company name, you will need to bring a letter on company letterhead stating that you have permission to sign for that company.
• If the person named on the front of the title is not you, we will NOT be able to accept the vehicle for consignment. You will need to transfer the title into your name by visiting a licensed PENNDOT agent. You can find more information about this process on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) website.

If everything is in order as stated above, your vehicle is ready to be sold at our auction!

For Buyers…

After purchasing a titled vehicle, you will need to visit the office and pay for your item(s). At that time, you will need to present your driver’s license to receive the title. Here at PA Auction Center, we notarize the title for the seller and designate the buyer on the title, but you will need to complete the transfer by visiting an authorized PENNDOT agent. This is also where you will register and get tags for the vehicle. There are several notaries near the auction center that offer these services, such as Goodville Notary or Weaver Group Notaries. When you visit a notary to get the title transferred, make sure to take ALL the paperwork you receive from the auction center with the title.

A few things to remember –

• Just like we reminded consignors - NEVER write on, mark, stamp, or make any changes to a title in any way unless you are in the presence of a notary.
• PA Auction Center does not offer tag and title services. We notarize the title for the seller, but this does not transfer the title to you. That does not happen until you visit an authorized PENNDOT agent.
• PA Auction Center does not charge sales tax on titled vehicles; you will be required to pay Pennsylvania sales tax on the vehicle when you visit the PENNDOT agent for registration and tags.
• We cannot give out a title without filling in a buyer’s name. If you are planning to title the vehicle in someone else’s name, they will need to contact us to receive the title.

Title vs. Certificate of Origin

When a manufacturer first sells a vehicle, usually to a dealer, they present the buyer with a Certificate of Origin. A Certificate of Origin is NOT a title. A certificate of origin is used to get the vehicle titled for the first time. If you have a Certificate of Origin, you will need to use that to get the vehicle titled in your name before selling it at PA Auction Center.

What if…????

“I’ve lost my title!” If you have lost or can’t locate your title, you will need to apply for a duplicate title. Information about this process for a PA title can be found on the PENNDOT website. If the vehicle was titled in a different state, you will need to contact that state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

“I filled in my name (or other information) on my title before bringing it in.” If you have filled in any part of the title while not in the presence of a notary, you will need to apply for a duplicate title. Information about this process for a PA title can be found on the PENNDOT website. If the vehicle was titled in a different state, you will need to contact that state’s Department of Motor Vehicles.

“I bought the vehicle online and won’t be picking up the title in person.” We should be able to mail the title to you. Give our office a call after purchasing the vehicle and we will work with you to arrange this process.

“I bought the vehicle elsewhere and then never got the title transferred to my name.” You will need to transfer the title to your name before we can sell the vehicle. You can find information about that process on the PENNDOT website.

The paperwork process associated with buying or selling a vehicle can be overwhelming, but hopefully the above information answers some of the questions involved. If you are interested in more information, feel free to give our office a call at 717-687-7018. And don’t forget to stop by on the fourth Thursday of the month or check out our website, PA Auction Center to see what we have for sale at our next Construction and Large Equipment Auction!