[silversleeper]

At the DMV they do look for VIN matching, smog paperwork, and that sticker that says it is cali compliant with smog. You have a few extra steps with DMV getting it into their system sort of half registered then getting the smog paperwork then back to DMV for getting the final registration. Something simple like a missing underhood compliant sticker could be big buttpain btw.

The DMV website has better info the last few years update if you google it.


Just thought of one other can of worms, if the vehicle was ever registered in Cali then taken out of state or otherwise not properly de-registered or "non-operational" registered, you could be on the hook for years of back registration and penalties. It's something to be aware of because it could be thousands $.


I would buy it, just make sure about prior registrations and all stock engine and exhaust and underhood sticker in place. I'm thinking if it were me I'd pay the huge $20 fee to run a carfax after they gave you the VIN to be sure of history and registration locations.