Knowing how to sell a car in Colorado will not only save you time, but money. From the required paperwork, to what fees to pay, we’re offering what you need to know to successfully sell your car here in Colorado!
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
Once you come up with a fair price for your car, it’s time to get all of your documents in order. So, let us help you with how to sell a car in Colorado in the most effective manner possible!
How to Sell a Car in Colorado – Seller Responsibilities
- You must sign the title. When you have a deal on your vehicle, you must transfer the title to the newt owner. To do this, you have to properly endorse the title.
- Take off the plates. According to Colorado State Law, all sellers are must retain license plates before the driver drives away. For plates left on a vehicle once transferred to a new owner, you could be liable. As a seller you may be held to liability for any impending traffic citations or other legal matters concerning the car. For sellers who forget to remove your plates, you have to report them stolen or lost.
How to Sell a Car in Colorado – The Importance of the Title
Your Colorado car title is a vital document. It’s basically proof that you own your car. Your car title must be in your possession if your ownership status changes, i.e. selling your vehicle.
Once you sell your car here in Colorado, you have to do the following with the car title:
- Enter the car’s mileage.
- Input the car buyer’s full name and address to the title.
- Offer the buyer a current Emissions Inspection Certificate if that buyer resides in an emissions area.
- Sign and date a bill of sale which includes: 1) your name,2) the buyer’s name, 3) the purchase price, 4) the VIN or the vehicle identification number (VIN), 5 the year and 6) the make of the vehicle.
- Be sure to take off the license plates.
- Offer the paperwork mentioned above, to the buyer.
- That buyer must then go to the DMV to complete the transfer of ownership.
Seller Requirements
Here in Colorado, sellers are required to provide specific documents to the buyer. Check out what is required of sellers to give to buyers:
Title
- You must give the buyer a Colorado Certificate of Title.
- For vehicles with more than one owner named on the front of the Certificate of Title, all of the owners have to print and sign their name as seller.
- Be sure to write in the purchase price and date.
- For purchases after hours, C.R.S. 42-3-115(2)(b), C.R.S. 42-6-113; The buyer of a vehicle is able to drive or operate a vehicle on the highway prior to registering the vehicle once the following is satisfied:
- The buyer has bought the vehicle within the last 36 hours from an individual who is NOT a licensed motor vehicle dealer.
- The vehicle was bought either on a Saturday, Sunday, a state legal holiday or between the hours of 5p.m. and 8 a.m.
- The car is being driven from the place where the seller stored the vehicle, to the place where the buyer intends to store the car.
- It is the responsibility of the buyer to have in the car:
- A bill of sale identifying the vehicle by year, make and VIN. The bill of sale must also indicate the time and date of sale and is signed by both the buyer and the seller.
- Proof of insurance.
- Write the name(s) and addresses of the buyer at this time.
- Fill out an odometer disclosure reading and indicator information on the Certificate of Title or it may be disclosed on the DR2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale form.
- For a title that has been branded “Rebuilt from Salvage”, the seller has to complete the Rebuilt from Salvage Disclosure.
- Within 5 days the seller can opt to report the transfer of ownership either online or at the seller’s local county motor vehicle office.
Emissions
Under Colorado law, an emissions inspection certificate is required if that buyer lives in an emissions area.
License Plates
Here in Colorado, the vehicle seller keeps license plates. Additionally, you can remove the plates from the sold car.
Click here to get additional information about car titles and to visit the Colorado Department Of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles.
What about a Bill of Sale?
If you bought a car or a vehicle through a dealership, a bill of sale will be used. For vehicle purchases from a private party, the buyer must have a Bill of Sale. Click here to obtain the bill of sale form!
What if I Need A Duplicate Car Title?
If you no longer have the car's title for the vehicle you're selling, or it’s damaged beyond legitimacy, you must obtain a duplicate title from a county office of the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
For residents of Colorado, you must have:
- A Duplicate Title Request and Receipt
- A Secure and Verifiable Identification for vehicles purchased on or after 7/1/2006
- The VIN or the vehicle identification number, and/or Colorado title number
- A fee of $8.20 to cover the cost of a Colorado duplicate car title.
- A power of attorney if or when applying on behalf of the owner of record
Additionally, Colorado requires a lien release for all active liens.
The lien release has to be on the lien-holder's letterhead. But for an individual lien holder, no need for a letterhead.
You can also fax and photo copy your forms. But they must include:
- vehicle year,
- vehicle make
- VIN number
- the owner's name(s)
- the agent's signature
- the date of lien release
- signature on the lien of the lien holder.
- Click here for additional information!
For non- residents of Colorado, you must to the following:
Non-residents must have the Duplicate Title Request and Receipt form. You can get this form through the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles.
Additionally, there is a fee of $8.20 for a duplicate car title. Click here for additional information!
Vehicle History Report
As a car seller, you want to remain as honest, straightforward and transparent as possible. One way to achieve this, is to offer potential buyers as well as your buyer, a vehicle history report.
A vehicle history report shows the previous condition of the car. For a car buyer, it’s a way for him or her to see what the car was, before the most current purchase.
So, obtain a vehicle history report here and offer it to your car buyers. They’ll thank you for it!
How to Sell a Car in Colorado – Tips for Selling Your Vehicle Online!
Looking for a great and fast sale of your car and you’re ready to post it online? Check out some tips to selling your car on the Internet and getting the cash you want, FAST!
- Go Online to check the value of your car. As a used car seller, you want to stay competitive, but you need to know what your car is worth. A good website to check a general estimate is Kelley Blue Book. They are popular, clear and concise. Additionally, they offer information on a car, based on data that includes geographic regions, market trends and seasonality. You can also visit the Edmunds This site is a new- and used-car marketplace. They’re great to get an appraisal on your vehicle. A big bonus to both of these sits, is that there is no fee you have to pay to get the information you need! There is no fee to get car value from these sites.
- Post your car ad to viable sites. Lots of people need to see your car! . So, sites such as Craigslist and Facebook are great for this. Make sure that you have great photos of your car, as well as a creative and detailed description of your car. Don’t forget to include a way for perspective buyers to get in contact you. So, post your email or phone number.
- Prepare for the questions! Lots of folks are going to call you. So, prepare to answer lots of questions. For this reason alone, this is why it’s important to have an ad that answers most of the questions perspective buyers want to ask. Lots of times, it can be difficult being polite to the 30th and 50th person who is asking about the car, but hey… they don’t know you or that car, and they want to buy it. So, you have to put up with the questions.
- Finally, be sure to make all actions between you and the buyer safe. You should never have to wire any money to anyone, to sell a car. Any perspective buyer who asks for you to wire cash, is a fraud. You need to run the other way! Additionally, showing your car is important to the sale. But make sure you are safe at all times!
Selling a car in Colorado takes, time, funds and some patience. But you can sell your car! So good luck and happy Colorado car selling!