Anyone experienced at buying a used car from a private party long distance?

[Sir_Hans]

So I'm looking at a car I'm interested in purchasing in hawaii, but it's on another island so I wont be able to test drive or check it out myself.

First thing I'm doing is Carfaxing the vehicle using the vin # and one of the things carfax lists as most recent is:

Hawaii
Motor Vehicle Dept.       
Kailua, HI                                 
Title #JKZ43022

Then next to that it says :

Title or registration issued
Loan or lien reported
Vehicle color noted as Red


Loan or lien reported... How do I check to see if the seller still owes money for a loan on the car? I've google searched this question and the best advice I could find was to contact the financial institution which holds the loan/lien... but it doesn't list any financial institution just the Hawaii MVD???
(I also saw on google that the title should list if a third party is registered from a loan/lien on the car, but I thought the title is only handed over after purchasing the vehicle?

Anyone really experienced in buying a car long distance that can help me out here? I don't want to get ripped off for 10,000$ and have to go island hopping to kill a bish.


(PS: once this is clear I plan to have a certified mechanic do a 150 point inspection for me on the car since I can't be there in person.)

[AntiBlitz]

speak with the mva/dmv.  They have to tell you if there is a lien on the vehicle. 


a mock title is given to the "owner" of the vehicle, while the lien holds on to the real one, just think of the one you have as a copy essentially.  However, common this may sound, its totally state law(could vary) on who holds the actual title, however the most common practice is the lien company until you have paid off the loan.

[Sir_Hans]

alright cool thanks, I talked to a family member just now and they were telling me the same thing, bring the vin# to the MVD (DMV) to see if it is a clean title.