Process of Selling a Car

Every state varies. In Texas, they show up with a title transfer form, I sign that, I sign the title and I'm done. Wave bye to my old car.
After you get done playing on here you will ultimately have to Google it, just to see what AZ requires. Good Luck!

The first thing we did was contact DMV for the "rules" to make sure we followed protocol. Then we got the forms we needed.

We placed an ad on Craigslist. We were selling my first convertible, candy red Mazda Miata in mint condition that was 7 yrs old and less than 10,000 miles on it. Yeah, I am very picky with my cars.

A man in KS contacted us and wanted it. After a lot of conversation and making sure he was who he was, etc, he flew to Dallas, hubby picked him up a tthe airport. The understanding was, we will meet at the bank. You can see the car, no haggling, then if interested, go inside the bank to finish the deal.

He took 1 look under the hood of the car, saw that it was impeccable, never drove it. Went inside the bank and gave us a cashier's check for the asking price. He knew he was basically getting a new car. He drove it home.

He has been in contact with us since via email and sent pictures of him and the car. He Loves it!

Be careful about who you deal with and be proactive on getting all info, paperwork needed.

I just sold my mother's car in Illinois. Google "Bill of Sale" and print 2 copies - one for the buyer and one for you to keep. Definitely take the plates off and cancel your insurance as soon as they drive away with the car. In Illinois, the buyer has up to 24hrs to re-register the car and drive around without plates. If you have access to a smaller, reliable "community" to try selling the car first, do that before Craigslist or want ads. You'll get slammed right away with fraudulent offers and schemes on Craiglist (like offers to buy the car for way over what you're asking for you to ship the car). Also, I'm kinda freaked by Craigslist these days. We have an online bulletin board at work for people to post items to buy/sell/trade, so I feel that's a much more reliable network of people.

Call your local DMV and find out what their rules are.

Most require a notarized and signed title with a contract of purchase....names, date, VI number (not plate number because that will change with the owner), mileage.

When we bought my wife's car - we went to the DMV with the previous owner, we didn't have to have a notary since both parties were there.

I wouldn't stop at siging the title. if they don't follow though on thier end by paying the tax title and license, the car remains in your name. you might start getting toll tag violations, red light camera tickets, or worse. the car would still be titled to you and you could be named in a law suit if someone were to get hurt by that car.

When we sold my Hyundai, I put an ad in Craigslist and within an hour had multiple responses. We met in the parking lot of a grocery store that was a half-way point in between. It's also helpful to find a place to meet where you have access to a notary. You have to both sign and have the title notarized. I also chose to have him sign an "as is sale" statement even though I believe it's implied by state law. I've seen too many episodes of Judge Judy I guess (lol). I also asked for cash or a cashier’s check only. I didn't want to deal with checks bouncing etc. I'd be happy to email you what I had them sign etc. if you'd like. Just message me privately.

You can take the title to a notary to do the switch...that's what we have always done. We've always gone with the buyer.

Please please please google Arizona DMV and poke around for selling a car.

Each state is different. For example, not every state requires a notary. Some states require you to fill out part of the title and send it in separately from the title you transferred. Some states require just your signature on the title. Some states require turning in of the license plates.

You can sign the title over to them and then they can go have it retitled. Caution though, lots of caution. When you show it to someone, do not let them drive off with it, even if you get their license info. it could be fake. This happened to someone I worked with. The buyer took off with the car, got tons of tickets then totaled it before it could be found as stolen. Also, never go for a test drive by yourself. And when you do sell, cash only or money order/cashier's check IF and only IF you can call the bank or currency exchange to verify the item is valid. I hate to say it but there are some nasty people out there. My husband has a friend with a dealership and you would not believe how some people will come in with stories and fakes--but good honest people are the majority so don't be afraid, just be cautious. And last, remove your plates before selling and report the car as sold to the DMV in case this person does not retitle and gets tickets. You could create a bill of sale that the person signs to show it is sold in case it is ever asked for. I made my husband do this because he sold a car years ago and the person never retitled and got a ton of tickets in Chicago.

In AZ, you can get a plate credit for the remainder of your registration fees for the year if you buy another car, so be sure to keep the plate.

Googling is often easier, but I'll humor you. The car should be paid off. If they want it, they give you a check, you sign the title over to them, take off the plates. You go to the DMV and turn the plates in or register them on another car. Call your car insurance and make the adjustments. They go to the DMV to register it in their name. They call their insurance to make adjustments. We've never done it together.

In the state of Arizona you have to have a contract of sale - it can be simple - just John Smith purchased 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan from Joe Brown for $1,900. Put the VIN # and mileage on the car. Both of you sign it. Have two copies, one for you and one for them. I would also get a copy of their drivers license for safety.

You could go to the DMV together to de-register and re-register/transfer title. Although I don't believe you have to.

When we sold my grandmother's car -this was years ago - we had 10 days from the date of sale to notify the DMV of the sale.