In most cases, the person who is listed on the vehicle title as the owner is the legal owner of the vehicle. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if a vehicle is leased, the leasing company is the legal owner of the vehicle, even though the lessee may be responsible for making the payments on the vehicle.
If you are buying a used vehicle, it is important to make sure that the seller is the legal owner of the vehicle and that they have the authority to sell it to you. You should also check to make sure that there are no liens or other encumbrances on the vehicle. You can do this by obtaining a vehicle history report from a reputable source.