Episode Description:
In this episode, we break down the key differences between a vehicle title and an MSO (Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin) or CO (Certificate of Origin). Learn how these documents affect ownership, registration, and legal responsibility for your vehicle.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The purpose and definition of a vehicle title
• What an MSO (Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin) or CO (Certificate of Origin) is
• How a vehicle title is issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• How an MSO is issued by the vehicle manufacturer as the vehicle's “birth certificate”
• The process of assigning an MSO from the manufacturer to the dealer, and then to the buyer
• Why an MSO looks almost identical to a vehicle title, including similar security features
• The risk of holding onto an MSO as a consumer without registering it
• What happens if your MSO gets damaged, lost, or altered—and why that’s a problem
• The importance of surrendering an MSO immediately to the DMV to secure a title in your name
• Why manufacturers are often unable to reissue a duplicate MSO
• The complications that arise if a vehicle hasn’t been officially titled yet
• The difference between MSO and CO—why they’re usually the same, but terminology may vary (e.g., trailers, RVs)
• Why registering your vehicle promptly ensures you are legally recognized as the owner