I am looking at a 1999 Kawasaki 4 wheel and the owner only has a bill of sale from where he purchased it.

Should it have a title?
How can I verify that it is not stolen?

 

If he has a bill of sale, I wouldnt worry too much about it being stolen, I'm sure he could have made it up possibly, or stole that with it, but doubtful. It should have a title, my last 2 have em. In Ohio, to be able to get an ORV sticker for it (for riding state-owned trails) you have to get this tag from the BMV...which requires the title. Otherwise, I don't think ya actually need it. I'm sure someone else will have some better input, but thats the only reason I've ever needed my title.

 

Look for the vin number along the frame. If its been tampered with, most likely its stolen or has been stolen.

 

Every state is different, some states have titles for offroad vehicles, some don't. When I was young (70's) I raced moto-x, and every bike I owned had a title. In the 90's here, they stopped giving you a title for offroad vehicles.
My little trailer used to have a title, now it only has a registration, so all I can say is contact the state where the 4 wheeler came from, and ask them if offroad vehicles had titles when it was purchased. If they say they didn't, then you should be fairly safe.

 

There was probly a certificate of origin once apon a time for it but not a real title. You should still be able to register it if needed through the DMV or whoever does that in your state.

 

They can be titled in Oregon, and mine are. As noted above, not all states are the same.

As far as checking it for stolen, it might not be a bad idea to make note of the vin and check with DMV and/or police.

 

They are titled in Texas.

 

They're titled in NM too. Either way, I would make sure the seller has a title. I think all ATV's come with titles when purchased from dealerships. In NM that's the case.

 

I was at a auction last saturday and there was probobly 5-10 ATVs with no title. Around here if they have no title you cant register them. They are only legal for farm use at that point. You cant get a sticker for them to ride them in the ditches or any state atv parks.

 

Here, you just have to give them a vin number to get an ATV registration sticker.

 

Ohio did not have titles for off road vehicals in 99 so if his bill of sale matches all you need is your bill of sale from him pay the sales tax and a 2year reg fee and your good to go.