krnb0iek

iTrader: (1)

Hi, I recently purchased a used car in August and paid for registration fees to the dealer. The car was originally purchased by the first owner in March, but the rear plate was missing the month sticker. The registration was also expired since it only had a 2016 sticker.

I requested for the month sticker and received it today. However, the sticker shows MAR. Is this correct? I was under the assumption that I had paid for a full year on August since the registration already expired back in March. Was I supposed to receive an AUG sticker?

First time used car buyer so just a bit confused. Thanks!

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

The registration month of the vehicle is always the month that the car was originally purchased brand new, so March would be correct.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

AFAIK registration is based on the original annual period the car had been first sold/registered. Every used car I've bought registers on that original month of the plate regardless what other month of the year I took possession. (CA rubbing some $$$ from you. Not very nice. :/ ) Call DMV to verify.

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

You paid for the registration from Mar 2016 to Mar 2017. If you want to use the vehicle or even park it on the street during Mar 2016 to Mar 2017, then you have to pay the entire registration fee. For example, if you bought the car in Feb 2017 (1 month before the renewal is due), then you'd be paying the same fee (possibly even more because of penalties).

krnb0iek

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, makes sense. Are dealers usually supposed renew the registration if the tags expire while the car is sitting in their lot? Or is the responsibility solely on the buyer?

Just feels like I threw money away since I paid for 6 months worth (Mar - Aug) when the car wasn't even in my possession.

Blkexcoupe

iTrader: (8)

I'm not 100% sure on this, but I don't think they are required to maintain the registration on the car while it is in their possession. Used car dealerships get special plates to put on cars, so they're able to drive them around without getting pulled over.

The only thing they're required to do is to make sure the buyer pays for the registration to be up to date, and make sure the car leaves the dealer with front and rear license plates (if one is missing the dealer should order a new pair for the buyer).