The best way to protect yourself when selling a car privately is to sell on a secure website that offers these features (like PrivateAuto). When you list your car on PrivateAuto, you will receive country-specific documents that you can fill out and sign using the PrivateAuto app. When selling a used car in California — whether sold, inherited, or donated — the DMV requires the seller to complete a Notice of Transfer and Compensation (NRL). The documents inform the DMV of the change of ownership. It exempts you from any liability for parking or traffic violations and civil or criminal acts related to the vehicle after the date of sale. To fill out the form, you will need: If you`re selling a car privately, your listing might be more attractive if you have a transferable used car warranty: Most states accept a general sales contract, which we provide in PrivateAuto for buyers and sellers to sign electronically. Once you have a reasonable offer, set up a meeting place in a safe area and have someone else with you. Drive on the test drive, but resist the temptation to sell them the car. Simply answer any questions they may have or report anything they don`t know about the vehicle. When everything is checked, you can arrange payment and transfer ownership with the documents you have prepared. If you`re selling a vehicle privately, presenting additional documentation can give the buyer more confidence, help the car sell faster, and potentially increase its value.
These items include a vehicle history report, maintenance records and transferable warranties. You can sign the documents required for the sale directly from your phone with our e-signature feature. Plus, our shared documents feature allows you to quickly and easily find the documents you need after the sale. There are many places where you can list your car online. Craigslist is very popular and available for the small $5 fee, but scams are still prevalent. Other specialized websites include Autotrader, eBay Motors, and Car Gurus. If you`re selling a rare or special vehicle, you may want to consider different collector locations. Write your listing with all the details that could add value, such as options or recent upgrades. Is the vehicle under manufacturer`s warranty or extended warranty? If so, it will definitely be a selling point, so make sure you have a copy for the new owner. If the vehicle is still under the manufacturer`s warranty, the remaining warranty coverage can be transferred to the new owner, bringing peace of mind and value to the sale. While a factory warranty is tied to a vehicle`s chassis number and must be automatically transferred to the new owner, transferring a third-party extended warranty involves more steps — and sometimes fees.
Collect your warranty data, including contact information for the warranty company, and then learn about the steps you need to take to transfer it when you`re ready to sell the car. It`s not just for selling houses. You don`t have to spend a fortune fixing everything on your car, but you should at least wash and vacuum it thoroughly. You want car buyers to show up and immediately like the look of the vehicle while it`s sitting. This is especially important if you had pets in your car. Once the buyer is satisfied with your car and you have both agreed on a purchase price, you can easily sign the purchase agreement in our app from your phone. With our shared documents feature, you can easily find the documents you need after the sale. The first and most important step in selling private cars is the collection of documents. You need written records of the sale to meet government requirements. However, the exact documentation requirements vary from state to state. There are countless benefits to selling your car to a private party instead of trading it in at a dealership. For one, the value of your car in the private market is much higher than the dealer`s wholesale price.
Sure, privately selling your vehicle may seem like a daunting process, but PrivateAuto is here to help. Here`s the documentation you need to sell your car privately and why PrivateAuto is the platform of choice for used car sellers. It`s your car, so drive the deal! You can control where, when, and who you meet. Decide whether you want to accept only buyers with verified identity or buyers with verified funds. Don`t waste your time with buyers who aren`t verified to your liking. As a rule, the safest method of payment when selling a car is cash. However, if you sell on PrivateAuto, you also have the option to receive payment through our secure integrated banking system, PrivateAuto Pay. When you receive your money through our integrated banking system, buyers and sellers can be confident when exchanging large sums of money, as they don`t have to share their details or banking information when buying the car. Your listing also offers other interesting benefits, such as a secure communication platform, the ability to easily manage quotes, a printable window brochure, a test drive planner, and more. Plus, you`ll get free tips for selling and buying vehicles privately in your state. There are also additional items that are not necessary to sell a car, but can increase the value of the vehicle in the eyes of a buyer: a vehicle history report, maintenance records, and extended warranty details.
Getting all your paperwork straight before you put the car up for sale or go to the dealership means a faster sale (and maybe more money in your pocket). The documents you need to sell a car differ from state to state. Most states require at least three documents — the certificate of ownership, sales agreement, and liability release — and additional documents vary depending on the state you`re selling from. No matter what condition you sell your vehicle in, PrivateAuto helps you keep track of all the documents and make the process quick, easy and intuitive. PrivateAuto makes selling your used car hassle-free. The selling process consists of a few simple steps: Selling a car in California, but not sure where to start? The process can be difficult to navigate, but you can lighten the load with a little guidance and proper preparation. For more specific information on how to sell your car, contact your state`s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by clicking the appropriate link below. The most important document you need when selling a vehicle is the title. Trying to sell a car without a car can be difficult. The title serves as proof of legal ownership and includes details such as the car`s make, model, year, and vehicle identification number.
Private sale of a vehicle without proof of ownership is illegal in many states, and you could be held liable for traffic and toll violations by the new owner. If you miss the title, you should find it or have it replaced before selling it. California requires every buyer to receive a smog test and have a smog certification when applying for a title. New Mexico requires an emissions inspection report when buying or transferring ownership in Bernalillo County, and Arizona requires the same for vehicles in Tucson and Phoenix. So they did some research, set a price, took beautiful photos, and created an ad. Your car is “ready for sale” and you have made requests from the buyer. Now it`s time to gather all the paperwork so you can quickly complete the transaction when the right buyer arrives. The required documentation does not change depending on the payment method you accept. Whether you accept cash, a cashier`s check or another method of payment, you will always need the same documents. Each state has different requirements, but selling a used car in California may require additional steps than in other states. You must: After successfully selling your vehicle, another document may need to be completed to waive liability: Some states require you to report the sale of the vehicle to the DMV within a certain number of days. For example, sellers in California have five days to complete a transfer and indemnity notice form, which can be found on the DMV website.
Illinois sellers must complete a Notice of Sale form once the sale of the vehicle is final. Be sure to check your status DMV for post-sale documents. The number of miles on a car can affect its monetary value, so the state requires you to record the mileage on the title. Tampering with the record, non-disclosure, or falsifying the odometer is a crime, so let the buyer confirm the mileage when filling out the title. California DMV requires you to record mileage on the day of sale, so you can`t do it in advance. PrivateAuto makes it easy to sell your car. When you sell through our app, you will be reminded of all the papers you need, adapted to your condition. We also offer in-app messaging, so you can set up test drives with potential buyers right from your phone. Now that you have all the paperwork in order and the car is clean and in perfect condition, it`s time to put it up for sale. Make a buyer checklist to anticipate a buyer`s needs and use it when creating your listing. Classifieds are still a popular type of advertising, but other options include: To protect yourself when selling a car privately, we recommend the following procedures: It`s a good idea to gather all your documents and information first so that they`re ready for the bureaucratic part of selling a car in California. If you prepare your documents before potential buyers arrive, you can avoid a sale.
The most important document you need is a proof of ownership, called a certificate of ownership. This is legal proof that you own the vehicle and have the right to sell it. If you still owe a car loan, the title of the car has a lien, which means that the bank has the right to take possession of the car if you stop paying the loan.