Could check with your local motor vehicle registration office...

Titles frequently get lost.

Rarely does a stolen car remain whole or untitled. I'd think that a stolen car gets scrapped, or it gets a title VIN plates from a donor car.

But, if the deal seems too good to be true, well then... research.

I assume you looked for old registrations in door pockets, etc? What's the seller's story?

In Colorado, it's a snap to get a duplicate of a lost title if the car was registered in the last 5 years or so and the last title holder can be found. Don't know about other states.

Good luck with it!

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂