Here's All the Paperwork You Need to Sell a Car

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Here's All the Paperwork You Need to Sell a Car
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You've put in all the hard work of getting your automobile ready for sale. You've taken beautiful pictures, put ads in the proper places, and you might even be getting a few offers in. What could go wrong now?

Well, you won't be able to make a proper sale if you don't have the paperwork needed to sell a car on hand. Having everything ready to hand over will be essential if you want your sale to go smoothly (or to go through at all).

So what exactly do you need to have printed and in hand when you're about to sell? Read on and we'll walk you through what you need to know.

Paperwork Needed To Sell A Car

What kind of paperwork do you need in order to legally sell your vehicle? It's a more complicated question than it seems at first blush, and that's because laws regarding sale paperwork vary from state to state. Selling a vehicle in Illinois isn't the same as selling one in Florida, for example.

However, there are general guidelines that are consistent through most states. Just remember to check with your local DMV to ensure that they don't require additional paperwork in your area.

The Car Title

The most important thing you'll need to have in your possession when you go to make a sale is the car title itself. This is the documentation that proves you own the car in question, and handing it over will officially signify the ownership transfer of the vehicle.

The car title is also known more colloquially as a 'pink slip.'

If you have somehow misplaced your car title, you will need to talk to the DMV about getting a replacement before you can even think about going through with a sale.

A Bill of Sale

You'll want the details of your transaction on official record, and that's exactly what a bill of sale sets out to do. This piece of paperwork details all of the information about the planned transaction between yourself and your buyer. That includes both of your personal information, the date, the details of the vehicle, and the payment information.

This isn't always required in every state, but it's a good idea to get one even if it's not. It can help keep you organized.

Other Documents

In some instances, you may be required to show service documents at the point of sale to show that the vehicle is in good health. Even if this isn't required in your state, it can definitely help to put a potential buyer's mind at ease.

Including an owner's manual and warranty documents will also be beneficial for the new owner of the car. This likely isn't required, but it certainly would be appreciated by the person you are doing business with.

The Paperwork Needed to Sell a Car

If you're going through with a big sale, you'll need to know all about the paperwork needed to sell a car. The above information can help you out in a pinch, but you should always check with your local DMV.

Need more auto advice and tips? Check out our blog for more information.

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