Cars, trucks, RVs & boats for sale by owner

Why sell your vehicle privately?

A dealer has to resell your car at a profit, so trade-in offers are typically below what a private buyer will pay. Selling privately takes more effort — photos, calls, test drives and paperwork — but the gap often runs into the thousands on a newer vehicle.

The private-sale paperwork

1. Title. Have the title in hand. If there’s a loan, contact the lender for a payoff and lien-release process before you advertise.
2. Bill of sale. Include buyer and seller names, date, price, VIN, odometer reading and “as-is” language. Some states require their own form.
3. Odometer disclosure. Federal law requires odometer disclosure on most vehicle transfers; your state title form usually covers it.
4. Release of liability and plates. Many states require you to notify the DMV and keep or surrender the plates. Rules vary — check your state DMV.

Our full guide to selling a car by owner covers pricing, test-drive safety and each step.

Get paid safely

Accept cash counted at a bank, a cashier’s check verified by calling the issuing bank at its published number, or a bank transfer that has fully cleared. Walk away from overpayment offers, shipping-agent stories and “escrow” sites you’ve never heard of. Check open recalls on the NHTSA site and title history through NMVTIS before you buy.