Buying a vehicle with a lien against it?

[Over Anxious]

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Next week, I'm picking up a vehicle purchased from a private party in CA.

I sent the seller a deposit and the remaining balance is exactly (as in, to the penny) the payoff amount for a loan the seller has on the vehicle.

I will use a cashier's check to pay the balance -- do I make it out to the seller or to the finance company?

I can't get a title until he pays off the loan, and he needs the check from me to pay off the loan, so is a bill of sale sufficient until the finance company sends me the title?

Just not sure how this works when there is a lienholder involved and the seller is not in possession of the title.

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They only way I have ever done it and would in the future is meet the seller at their finaince institution or a bank. Have the teller/bank personnel assist with the transaction.

You can't get a title transfer until the lein is satisfied.