How can I find out the original owner of my Explorer.

[shamusw]

How can I find out the original owner of my Explorer.

Here is the deal. I recently purchased a 2005 Explorer xlt from A Lexus dealership. Truck was In mint shape 25k spotless one owner. They gave me the hard sell to buy an extended warranty through them, but I did enough research to know to hold off and shop around. Anyway I called Ford yesterday to inquire about their extended warranty plans, and the guy said this vehicle already has an extended 5 year 60 mile ESP.

He stated you would need to get the original owner to sign a transfer wavier to get the warranty under me. I called the Lexus dealership and the sales guy was like OH we didn’t know about that. But if I contact the owner he will just cancel the policy. I was like fine, but I am willing to offer him cash for any pro rated rebate they would give him. But he refused to contact the owner or give me his name to do so!

Ford wont even given me a quote on a ESP until this policy is cancelled.

Any thoughts on what my options might be?? The only other option I can think of is having a cop friend of mine try and track the VIN# to get the persons address and then mail them a letter. I'm not even sure that can be done?

One other thing again the truck is 2005 Exp XLT sport package with 25k Mint condition, leather, 3rd row, 6 cd, rear DVD,
Moon roof. Paid $17,500. Good, Fair or bad deal? From the others I saw in the area it was a fair deal.

 

[asimp]

I believe by law the dealer has to provide you with the original owner if they have the info

 

[vroomzoomboom]

unless your in canada, they will not do that because of a privacy law. how ever, if ford computer systems are the same as here, if you go to a ford dealership, as for the history (maintenance), they should also be able to tell you who owned it, as long as they had work done at a ford dealer

 

[Vinniety]

Tell the dealer to shove the truck up his A$$ and leave. That is not how they are suppose to treat a customer. You will be stupid to buy anything from that dealership. If you think it isnt the dealership but the salesman himself ask what is his work hours and go into the dealership on his day off and ask for a manager and explain to him what the situation is. Tell him it allready has an extended warranty and the salesman is trying to sell me another one. ALso tell him what needs to be done and if you dont have a way to track down the original owner how can you get the document signed.

That is total Bull. If he doesnt help leave. Trust me you will have issues later if they need to help in any way.

 

[Vinniety]

unless your in canada, they will not do that because of a privacy law. how ever, if ford computer systems are the same as here, if you go to a ford dealership, as for the history (maintenance), they should also be able to tell you who owned it, as long as they had work done at a ford dealer

Okay i understand the privacy of law but the dealer himself can call and just tell the original owner that he needs to sign this so you can sell the car. I dont see why anyone wouldnt sign it fax it to him scan it to him they are so many ways that you can get it signed without face to face contact. Unless the dealer really pissed him off and took him for a spin selling him a lexus, if you know what i mean then he might not sign it.

 

[Critter92X]

Wasn't the previous owners name and address on the title when you bought it?I suppose though when you licensed it they sent the title in and you wouldn't have access to it now,so I guess that doesn't help.

 

[shamusw]

To update I'm not trying to sell the car

To update I'm not trying to sell the car, i recently bought it at the Lexus dealership. So I never saw the original title.

 

[Critter92X]

The laws must be different there than here,in Missouri you get the title when you buy a vehicle,it's still registered to the previous owner until you take the title in to get it tagged.Even if you have the vehicle financed through a bank they mail the title to you after you license it,it just has the lien holder info on the title.
When I bought my 02',it was a 1 owner trade-in.I received the original title from the Ford dealership on the spot and it had the original owner's name and address on it.

 

[Vinniety]

The laws must be different there than here,in Missouri you get the title when you buy a vehicle,it's still registered to the previous owner until you take the title in to get it tagged.Even if you have the vehicle financed through a bank they mail the title to you after you license it,it just has the lien holder info on the title.
When I bought my 02',it was a 1 owner trade-in.I received the original title from the Ford dealership on the spot and it had the original owner's name and address on it.

In new york if you buy it from a dealer they charge you reg and tag charges. They do all the paper work for you. You will get a temp reg sticker for the window. Good in one way so you need to stay in line but you still get charged for it. If you buy it from a private seller then you get the title and the back of it the previous owner signs it and the buyer signs it. Title plus insurance card plus bill of sale is all you need in new york. Of course plus your own proof like your license.

 

[shamusw]

Update

I was able to get the owners name and address from a Vin# search a cop did for me. So I am going to write the owner a letter, hopefully he wont mind!

Thanks for your help everyone.