Payment first, paperwork second
No reputable house releases a title before funds have cleared, and cleared means settled, not sent. A wire is typically available the next business day; other methods can take considerably longer, which is why the title timeline starts when the money lands rather than when you win.
The bill of sale is not the title
A bill of sale records the transaction. The title is the ownership instrument the state recognises. You will often receive the first within hours and the second within two to four weeks, because it has to be requested, signed and posted — occasionally from a lienholder who has their own process.
Where the delays come from
- A lien that has to be released by a bank before the title can move
- An out-of-state title that must be reassigned on arrival
- A seller who has misplaced the title and needs a duplicate — add three to six weeks
- Branded titles, which some states process separately and more slowly
Do not drive on hope
Until the title is in your name you cannot register the vehicle, and in most states you cannot legally drive it beyond a temporary permit. Ask the house for a realistic date before you arrange insurance, transport or a sale to somebody else.
From the auction floor
See how this works on a real lot.
Every listing carries its inspection report, its full specification and its bid history. Read one before you decide what it is worth to you.