Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

I'm looking at a new to me used car. On the carfax it is stated that the car received a duplicate title. Now I know people lose them and whatnot but the locations throw me off.

11/04/2008 889 New York
Inspection Station Emissions inspection performed
Passed safety inspection

11/04/2008 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lancaster, NY Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Titled or registered as personal lease vehicle

12/08/2008 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Atlanta, GA Title issued or updated

03/05/2009 New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Lancaster, NY Registration issued or renewed
Duplicate title issued
Passed safety inspection

11/30/2009 13,011 New York
Inspection Station Emissions inspection performed
Passed safety inspection

From those first 4 entries you can see the car was bought in New York, titled, then went to Georgia. Then back to NY where it received a new title. All within 4 months. This just strikes me as odd. There's nothing else weird on the report whatsoever.

Just been burned on used cars before, and this one isn't exactly close by so I was looking to get some reassuring insight from someone who might know a bit more of what a duplicate title can be issued for.

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

Like you said probably just a lost title and they had it re-issued. Maybe calling up to the DMV in Ny and asking about it would help. I would assume the owners would have had to provide some sort of proof of ownership to have one re-issued.

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

there is a massive vehicle auction business for the east coast in nj and northside atlanta. likely an auction resale.

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

auction cars suck too.

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

Unless you're really confident that you would be the only legit owner, and all the titles are accounted for or explained, walk away. Else it could be a registration nightmare.

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

Do you think I should just inquire the dealer and try and see what they know. As well as the NY DMV? It is a well known dealership that is selling it (Koon's Lexus of Wilmington) so it's not some shady guy second hand. Everything after that seems completely normal. The car was sold to a guy in Florida in 2011 and remained there until the new year and is now back in NJ for sale. Presumably auction car purchase. I'm familiar with how dealers purchase cars from all over, I work for toyota and we purchase cars from PA frequently.

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

I'd walk away from it. VA is not the place to have any problem with a vehicle title.

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

I wouldn't buy any car from NJ that was registered there during the floods.

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

prolly on dat #fukushimaradiationflow

Re: Vehicle history question - dupe title
 

Haha prolly. oh well, guess ill pass on this one. search continues.