Used Cars Buying and Selling FAQ's
Buyers Questions
How do I safely buy a car from a private seller?
Meet in a public, well-lit place (like a police station parking lot), verify the seller’s ID, inspect the title, and never send money before seeing the car.
How can I tell if a private car sale is legitimate?
What documents do I need to buy a car privately?
How do I check if a car has a clean title?
What’s the safest way to pay for a car privately?
Do I need a bill of sale?
Should I get the car inspected before buying?
Who pays for the pre-purchase inspection?
How do I avoid scams when buying privately?
What should I check before buying?
Can I finance a car from a private seller?
What taxes do I pay when buying privately?
How soon do I need to register the car?
What should I do if the car breaks down after buying?
How do I transfer the title into my name?
Should I buy from someone who still owes on their loan?
How can I tell if the odometer reading is accurate?
What if the seller doesn’t have the title?
Sellers Questions
What documents do I need to sell my car?
You’ll need the title, a bill of sale, odometer disclosure, and possibly a smog certificate (depending on your state).
How do I determine the right asking price?
Should I clean or repair my car before selling?
What’s the safest way to accept payment?
Should I accept deposits?
What should I include in a bill of sale?
How do I transfer ownership to the buyer?
What if I still owe money on the car?
What should I do after selling my car?
Do I remove the license plates after the sale?
Can I sell a car without a smog certificate?
What if the buyer never registers the car?
Should I let buyers test drive the car alone?
What if a buyer damages my car during a test drive?
What are common scams when selling privately?
Should I verify the buyer’s ID?
What if the buyer pays with counterfeit cash?
Can I sell a car for someone else?
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