How do you sell a car in Massachusetts? What must you as a seller do to ensure a successful sale?
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
What papers do I need? Our guide will break down all that you need to obtain to sell your car successfully.
From the bill of sale, to the odometer reading, we will take the mystery out of how to sell a car in Massachusetts.
How To Apply for a Certificate of Title
For a certificate of title, you must submit the following:
- Complete application, Registration and Title Application . This must be signed by all parties.
- The payment of $75, as well as any applicable sales tax.
- Proof of ownership
- Click here to obtain your checklist for getting only a title!
- Click here to get the registration and title application form from Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles!
How To Sell A Car In Massachusetts – Seller Duties
As a vehicle owner, you must first transfer the vehicle title over to the new owner whenever you sell a vehicle. If the car has a lien against it, then be sure to contact the lien company for information on how to transfer the vehicle's title to the new owner.
To complete the transaction, you must fill out the following information on the back of the title:
- Date of sale.
- Odometer reading at time of vehicle sale.
- Purchase price. If there's no place to record this on the title, then you can create a bill of sale.
- Your name printed and signed. The buyer must also print and sign his or her name too.
After such is done, make sure that you give the buyer the title as well as any paperwork regarding any loans or liens on the vehicle, if this applies to the car.
Don’t forget to take off the vehicle's license plates. You have to transfer the plates to the new vehicle within seven days of the sale. If you fail to do so, you have to cancel the plates and the registration.
Bill of Sale
If the car title does not supply a space of a line to enter the purchase price, then you can complete a bill of sale and give it to the buyer.
Your bill must include the following information:
- Your name, signature and address
- The buyer's name, signature and address
- The date of purchase.
- The purchase price of the car. If the car is a gift, then write gift in this area.
- The VIN or vehicle identification number.
- The year, make, model and production year of the car.
The bill of sale does not need a notary to witness it. Click here to learn more!
What if I Want to Give the Car as a Gift?
In Massachusetts, you can give a car as a gift to a family member, who might not have to pay taxes on it. That family member must then fill out and submit a Sales Tax Exemption form MVU-26 to determine whether he or she has to taxes on the vehicle.
This exemption exists only for immediate family members, which are designated as:
- Siblings
- Parents
- Children
- Spouses
How To Sell a Car in Massachusetts – Getting a Duplicate Car Title
If you are in need of a duplicate title in Massachusetts, you can get it one of three ways: in person, by mail, or online!
What do I need?
1. Certificate of title number
OR
2. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
3. Massachusetts driver's license number – if you are an individual who needs a duplicate car title
4. Federal Identification (FID) number – of the car/vehicle owner is a business entity
There is a $25 fee to get your duplicate car title.
Getting That Duplicate Car Title Online
Want to get your duplicate car title online? You need:
- Your date of birth
- First and last name
- Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
- Driver's license, learner's permit, or Massachusetts ID number.
All companies must submit their FID number.
How To Get a Duplicate Car Title In Person
If you want to get your duplicate title in person, bring yoru Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title and the fee to:
- An RMV Service Center
- AAA branches that offer RMV services (if you belong to AAA)
Massachusetts will accept cash, check, credit/debit card, or money order. But be sure to check with the site you will be visiting, to see what payment methods they accept.
I want to Request My Duplicate Car Title By Mail
If you want to get your duplicate car title by mail, you must mail your completed application with payment made out to MassDOT. Use the following address:
Registry of Motor Vehicles- Title Division
P.O. Box 55885
Boston, Massachusetts 02205-5885
How to Sell a Car in Massachusetts- Understanding Loans and Liens
For a vehicle with a loan that has been completely satisfied, you can ask your lien holder (e.g., credit union or bank) first to see if they have your title.
If they don’t you can get a letter from the lien holder and ask them to use letterhead. Then request that they sign it and state that the lien is paid in full.
Be sure that the letter also includes the year, make, and model of the car. The letter should also have the vehicle identification number (VIN), and all owners of the car listed.
Additionally, Massachusetts does not accept copies or faxes of lien releases You have to include the lien application with the replacement title, regardless of the age of the loan.
Click here to read more!
Massachusetts does not accept erasures, white-outs, or alterations on the proof of ownership. If this is the case, the state will not accept your application.
Additionally, your application must be legible, and printed on white 8 ½” x 11” paper. You cannot use colored paper. Click here for more!
How to Sell a Car in Massachusetts – Have You Done Everything?
OK, so you know what paperwork you need and how to get it. But let's go over the entire process and get you a quick sale of your car!
Get Your Car Inspected
Now is the time to get your car assessed by a friend or a family who is a mechanic. As the seller, you need to know what it is you are selling. You can also assess if you will sell your car part by part, or as is. The more you know about your car, the quicker it will sell!
Know Your Car's Value
Turn to Kelley Blue Book or another trusted source to get the value of your car. This allows you to get a “ballpark” figure of your car's value and merit.
Gather All of Your Documents
Once you have the car title, duplicate car title, and other paperwork, you want to put them in a folder or binder of some sort. This will show that you are an organized seller. Having all you need to sell your car will make the car sale go smoothly!
Advertise!
In today's day and age, there are great sites you can sell your car on!
- Craigslist – Craigslist costs $5 to post an ad. You can upload up to ten pictures of your car too. Don't forget to indicate the specs of your car and leave a way folks can contact you.
- eBay Motors– eBay Motors is a great platform to sell a car on. You can post pics, accept offers and even negotiate the price.
- Autotrader.com– Autotrader.com is another great place to sell a car. They are reputable and have been around for awhile now.
Conduct Your Car Sale
Whether you choose to sell your car online or elsewhere, you are in charge of the sale. You can sell your car privately, post pictures online, or simply get the word out about your sale. Be firm or flexible when necessary about the price.
To be honest car seller is to be a seller who will sell a car fast. You may even offer potential buyers a vehicle history report. You are in charge of the sale of your car and you can make it happen!
Offer the Buyer a Bill of Sale
As a car seller, you have to make your car buyer comfortable. You also want protection during your sale. A bill of sale is the document that provides proof of the sale of your car. You do not have to get a notary to witness the signature. Click here to learn more!
Sign the Title Over to the New Buyer
Once you have full payment, you can sign the title over to the buyer. On the back of the title you'll find an area where you can fill out the details of the sale.
Be sure to sign it so that the transfer is valid by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).
How to Sell a car in Massachusetts – Connect with your Massachusetts RMV Now!
Make sure that you connect with the the RMV's Online Service Center. There, you can perform over 40 transactions, without having to step foot into a local RMV!
The Registry of Motor Vehicles is working to implement an appointment-only reservation system for those transactions that have to be in person.
Click here to learn more and connect with your Massachusetts RMV today!