What Paperwork Do You Need to Sell Your Car? Written by GulfCoast Motorsports on January 10, 2024. Posted in Blog Share on Facebook Share Share on TwitterTweet Share on Pinterest Share Share on LinkedIn Share Send email Mail Print Print If you plan on selling your vehicle, you must gather the documentation required to sell it. Contrary to popular belief, selling your vehicle isn’t as easy as finding a buyer and accepting the money. It is often more complex and stressful, but you can mitigate some stress by ensuring you have the correct paperwork. So, read on to learn more about the paperwork you must have when selling your vehicle. After you’ve gathered the necessary paperwork, you can look into buying a new car from a dealership like GulfCoast Motorsports. Essential Paperwork You Need To Sell Your Car Below is a list of some of the essential paperwork you need to sell your car: Car Title Or Certificate Of Title When selling your car, the car title or certificate of title is the most vital document as it reflects the right of vehicle ownership and your right to sell it. The car title will have essential information like the car model, make, year, and vehicle identification number (VIN). To conduct a sale privately, you must have this document, as it is illegal in many states to attempt to sell a car without one. So, if you are missing your car title, you must find it or have a duplicate issued before you try to sell your car. Your state motor vehicle department can give a replacement or duplicate. However, the lien holder has its title if you have an outstanding car loan. As such, you must contact the bank and inform them of the sale to determine the loan’s payoff amount. Only once the loan payoff amount is paid in full will the title be yours, and you can sign it over to the car buyer. Bill Of Sale Many states don’t require a bill of sale document; however, this doesn’t mean having one isn’t a good idea. A bill of sale proves a sale’s terms and conditions were met, and most states will accept a general bill of sale as proof. However, some states still require a notarized bill of sale, so you must visit your DMV website to download the state-approved form, fill it out, and then go with the buyer to a notary public to have the form notarized. Odometer Disclosure Typically, you do not need a specific document disclosing the odometer reading because it will generally already be represented on the car’s title transfer form. However, if there is no room for this on the title transfer form, you will need an odometer disclosure statement. You must check the DMV website for the form that meets your state’s requirements. State And Legal Documents Some of the state and legal documents you might need when selling your car include the following: Emissions certificate: In today’s more environmentally conscious world, many states require vehicles to undergo emissions testing at least once yearly or every two years. These cars typically feature a small decal at the lower part of the car’s windshield, indicating that the vehicle passed inspection; this inspection is generally transferable to the car’s new owner. Release of liability document: A release of reliability form safeguards you from any responsibility if a buyer drives away in your car, receives a speeding violation, or gets into an accident. You can get a release of liability form from many state websites, which you can either submit online or print out and fill in on the day of the sale. Notice of transfer: This form informs your DMV that the car is no longer your responsibility and, once signed, releases you from any liability through the state. This means that even if the new owner fails to register the vehicle or turn in the new car title, the state no longer lists you as the owner. As is documents: In most states, used cars are typically sold “As Is,” which means there are no after-sale guarantees. However, in some states, both parties must sign a separate piece of paper detailing the car’s condition and that both buyer and seller agree that the vehicle is sold as is, so be sure to find out if you need this document before selling. Other Crucial Documentation Needed To Sell Your Car Besides the above, you might also need a few miscellaneous documents when selling your vehicle, like the following: Service records. Warranty documents. Vehicle service history reports. Reach Out To GulfCoast Motorsports To Take The Stress Out Of Your Next Car Sale After you’ve secured the paperwork you need to make a sale, you can confidently begin your search for a new car. If you’re looking for a premium quality pre-owned vehicle as your next buy, you can speak with the auto experts at GulfCoast Motorsports. We have a wide range of well-looked-after pre-owned cars for your perusal, so contact us here and let us help you.