Can a car dealership list a used car for sale if they don't have the title?

Toyota dealership has the exact truck I've been looking for on their lot, used/certified pre-owned with low miles. I go in, test drive it, put down a deposit on it. Then they tell me they can't give it to me right away because they still don't have the title from the previous owner. Perhaps a naive question, but how can they list a truck for sale if they don't even have the title in hand? Is this normal or does it seem shady? I've been waiting for weeks now.

 

Seems weird, but idk. Never bought a used car from a dealer.

Did you ask what kind of title it is? Salvage or something different?

 

Yes it’s normal.
Family experience with this stuff.

If I can cypher the crap the title and paperwork follow the car. But it takes time for title transfer and all that. So yes it can be weeks before the state releases the title into the dealers hands.

 

Huh, ok. Your reply is somewhat reassuring. Seems kind of shady to me though that the dealer would list a used vehicle for sale that they themselves technically don't even own yet.

 

Could be it was financed and then paid off when the prior owner traded it in. Now waiting for the paperwork to catch up.

 

No different than taking preorders and deposits for trucks that haven't even seen this country's dirt. Businesses are always comprised of moving parts. Lining up a buyer for a used vehicle while chasing paperwork is essentially the same as lining up a buyer for paperwork while chasing the vehicle in my unprofessional eyes. That being said, you can't complete the deal without all parts present, so ask them the when/where/whys about the title. Figure out how long they've had the truck in their possession, when it was bought, how long they've had it on their lot, how long a title transfer typically takes, etc. If just a few days, don't fret too much; if months, probably consider going somewhere else, unless they have really good clear communication about why that is, and you feel that they're treating you with honesty.

 

Yep, they can and they will.

My Tacoma was sold to me with a we-owe for the title - title got lost in transit so the dealer had to request a duplicate title. It's not unusual.

 

All about the sale.
“Yea here is the price but, you can’t take it today. Maybe next week. Let’s do the paperwork” lol

 

The sale doesn't close (dealer doesn't get paid) until the title comes through, so at least it's in the dealer's best interest to expedite where they can.

 

Yes, work at a dealership and this happens often.