Selling a car in Alaska can be time-consuming. But we’re here to offer you a detailed guide that offers you key points on how to sell your car privately!
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
Whether you have a used car, truck or SUV, we will assist you with how to sell your car privately in Alaska and do so successfully!
Check out our tips and points! So for how to sell your car in Alaska, check out our list of “dos”, “don'ts” and “must have” documents that will make selling your car easy!
How to Sell a Car in Alaska- The Required Documents
When you're selling a car in Alaska, you'll need to complete the following for the car title:
- Your signature as well as the signature of any other registered owners if their names are split by “and” on the title.
- The vehicle's current mileage, or an odometer disclosure statement. This is a must for vehicles under 10 years old. If the vehicle is 10 years old or older, an odometer disclosure is not a mandate.
It’s also a good idea to notify the Alaska DMV of the sale. There are a few choices to accomplish this. You could:
- Submit a “Notice of Vehicle Sale for Transfer,” in person. This is attached to the car title.
- You can also mail a Notice of Transfer Pending which is form 820, to:
State of Alaska
Division of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 229
Haines, AK 99827
- You can also go online to notify the AK DMV of the sale of the vehicle.
What About Selling a Vehicle Without a Title?
Alaska law prohibits the selling or purchasing of a vehicle without a title. Therefore, you as the seller must supply the buyer with a title or get a duplicate title.
How to Sell a Car in Alaska Privately and Getting a Duplicate Car Title
Should your original title have been stolen, misplaced, damaged, or destroyed, you'll need to get a duplicate one.
So, here in Alaska, residents are able to complete the Application for Duplicate Title (Form 809). You can also download this document or visit your local Alaska DMV office for a copy of the document. For vehicles with a lien on the title, the application should include a lien release from the lien holder. There is a $15 fee for a duplicate title. Click here to get access to the duplicate title form.
How to Sell a Car in Alaska – Transferring the Title
Here in Alaska, there are some steps that are mandated by the state, to transfer a car title in Alaska. As the seller the following must be completed:
- You must sign the car title and date it.
- If the vehicle is under 10 years, you are required to record the mileage. There is no need to worry about the mileage if the vehicle is 10 years old or older.
- You must also fill out the Notice of Vehicle Sale for Transfer. This is located at the bottom of the title or here online. Once you download it and fill it out, you can mail the complete form.
Additionally, any personalized license plates should be taken off. A bill of sale is required to register a motor vehicle. A lien release, odometer disclosure statement, and proof of previous registration is also mandated by the state of Alaska.
Understanding the Bill of Sale in Alaska
When you buy or sell a vehicle, a Bill of Sale is required. A Bill of Sale offers a legal receipt from the buyer to the seller that documents both the change in ownership as well as the purchase price.
But the Bill of Sale is not the only important element for transfer ownership of a vehicle. There must be an odometer reading and the title are required to transfer ownership too. If any of these components are not within the sale of the vehicle, your transfer could be delayed.
Your Bill of Sale should include:
- The date of sale.
- The name of the seller.
- The entire name of the buyer.
- The entire address of the buyer.
- The odometer reading at the time of sale.
- The complete address of the seller.
- The signature of the seller or another authorized representative.
- The entire vehicle description which includes the VIN or the Vehicle Identification Number, make, model, year, series number and body type.
Transferring a Title in Alaska when Living in a Remote Area
If you live farther than 50 miles from an Alaska DMV office connected by a road, or if you do not live near a road that connects you to the city, you are considered to live in a Remote Area. Given such, you are eligible to complete a vehicle transfer of title through the mail.
You can send your documents to:
State of Alaska
Division of Motor Vehicles
ATTN: CORRESPONDENCE
1300 W Benson Boulevard STE 200
Anchorage, AK 99503-3600
For questions about your Remote Area access, documents and criteria, you can call the Alaska DMV at (855) 269-5551.
Preparing Your Car for Sale Online
Once you have all of the required documents for the sale of your car here in Alaska, you are now ready to sell your car.
Maybe you have been thinking of selling your car online. With platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, you are in great company!
The first thing you want to do for your online car ad, is take pictures of your car. A good number of photographs to have is at least 15.
Secondly, have a description of your car ready to accompany your pictures. Be sure to sell all Alaskan potential car buyers all about your car. For example, if it has specific trim, new tires or other great elements on it, make mention of them!
Finally, you may want to leave an email you check frequently as the contact information, so that buyers can get in touch with you. If you’re comfortable leaving your cell phone, do so! You want to have a way buyer can reach you so be sure that whatever contact information you provide, is accurate and up-to-date!
How to Sell a Car Privately in Alaska – Be an Honest Seller!
One document you may wish to have during the sale of your car is a vehicle history report. This document allows buyers to know the condition and merit of your car.
Once you supply a vehicle history report, this shows that you are an honest, transparent and straightforward car seller. The car buyer may even thank you for going the extra mile of supplying the vehicle report! You have nothing to hide about your car!
Selling Your Car on Your Property
If you are looking for a quick sale of your used car, you may think about selling your car on your own property. Surely you will get calls, but getting the quick sale is what you are most interested in!
So, make sure that you place your car in plain sight on your property. Also, make sure that the “for sale” signs are positioned in the car so that folks can know what number to dial to ask you about the car.
Once you get a few buyers, you may find that you are stating the same information about the car. Now is a great time to have a “cheat sheet” or flyer about the car, that shares the basics about the car. This way, you won’t sound like a “broken record”.
Test Drives
Selling your car privately here in Alaska can be done and lots of potential buyers may want a test drive. You can offer one if you feel comfortable doing so. You may want to accompany that potential buyer or even invite a friend to accompany you and the buyer during the test drive.
Just make sure that you offer the test drive during the day and you are able to have some safeguards in place for you.
Safety is top priority and you want that test drive experience to be safe for everyone involved.
Preparing Your Car for a Sale
- Get that car washed. The first thing you want to do once you prepare your car for a sale, is to get it washed. Here in Alaska, you may find it hard to keep it clean, but try your best. You may also want to clean and vacuum the inside of the car too.
- Fixes and Repairs. Be sure to fix any damage you can on the car. If a fender needs to be repaired, then repair it! If you are not able to fix what needs to be repaired on the car, let the buyer know. Just because there are some blemishes on the car, doesn’t mean it won’t sell. Lots of folks in Alaska love fixing up cars! Just be honest with your buyer.
- Replacement Parts. If there are parts on the car that need to be replaced and you can replace them, do so! Does your used car need a new starter? Replace it! Are the brake pads good? Replace them if not!
Paying attention to the details of the car is what perspective buyers will be doing so you must pay attention too!
As a car seller, being honest, straightforward and pleasant will help you sell your car here in Alaska!