How to sell a car in Illinois is quite simple, once you follow the guidelines set forth by the Illinois Secretary of State.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
Not only will we outline how to conduct a successful title transfer, but more.
We'll guide you thorough the process of getting a duplicate car title and offer you some helpful selling tips!
So, continue reading on, and learn how to successfully sell your car in the “Land of Lincoln”!
How to Sell a Car in Illinois – Transfer Ownership
As a seller, you must transfer ownership of the car you are selling.
The following steps are a must:
- As the seller, you have to provide the official title at the time of delivery.
- Be sure to sign that title over to the buyer of your car.
- Take off the license plates from the vehicle.
Electronic Registration and Title – Illinois Secretary of State
The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) offers the Electronic Registration and Title (ERT) System. This allows sellers to fill out and print an Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190). I
For you’re a complete transaction, you have to take your completed application as well as any supporting documentation and your money for payment to your local Secretary of State facility within seven days.
Illinois also offers the opportunity for you to submit your paperwork and payment by mail. You can send your paperwork and check/money order to the following address:
Secretary of State
Vehicle Services Department
ERT Section, Rm. 424
If Expedited Title, Rm. 629
501 S. Second St.
Springfield, IL. 62756
You are able to use the ERT System for following transactions:
- The Title
- Transfer and Title
- Title and Registration
- Corrected Title
- Click here to connect with the Illinois SOS and gather more information!
How to Sell a Car in Illinois – How Do I Get a Duplicate Car Title?
The Illinois SOS will issue you a duplicate car title if your original title is lost, mutilated or destroyed.
In an effort to protect against, fraud, the Illinois SOS will not issue a duplicate car title, within 15 days from the issuance of an original title. They will not issue one 30 days from the issuance of a duplicate title.
When you are seeking to correct details on your title, and your title has not been lost, you must apply for a “Corrected Title”.
Fill Out Application
- You must complete the Application for Vehicle Transaction(s) (VSD 190).
- Be sure to check the box for Duplicate Title in the top section.
- Make sure that you complete each section that applies.
- Be sure to sign the document.
- Take the time to write in the exact Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- You must also include the current vehicle odometer reading if applicable.
- Be sure to check the appropriate odometer box, (i.e., actual, not actual).
- If you do not complete anything to the SOS standards or correctly, the SOS will return your application. This will of course cause a delay in you getting your duplicate car title.
Lien
The Illinois SOS will mail titles to the lien holder if a lien is applied. Be sure to include the complete name and address of the lien holder on the duplicate title application. For a vehicle with no lien, the SOS will mill the title to the principal owner listed first on the application or to the address listed in the “Mail To” area.
In an effort to remove the lien holder, the following must be done:
- Give a lien clearance letter from the lien holder that states the lien is free and clear.
- Give a lien contract that states the lien is free and clear- or you can…
- Submit a lien contract that indicates the lien is free and clear.
- Give a court order that directs the SOS office to issue the duplicate title without the lien or lien holder's name.
Complete a court order requesting that the Office of the Secretary of State to issue the duplicate title without the lien or lien holder's name. You must take that Court Order to the Judge presiding over the case. Click here to read more!
Click here to enter in your zip code, and find the nearest Illinois SOS branch near you!
Selling an IL Vehicle Privately
Once you sell your vehicle privately, you must do the following:
Offer the buyer the vehicle title with the “Assignment of Title” section which should have the following:
- The odometer reading.
- The date of the sale.
- The buyer's name.
- Your signature.
Be sure to take the license plates off of the vehicle, before handing the car over to the buyer.
Before transferring the plates to another car, be sure to contact the SOS office.
Make sure that you also fill out a Seller's Report of Sale (Form VSD 703). This form is important, as it releases you from responsibility for the vehicle.
How Can I Contact the Illinois Secretary of State directly?
How To Sell a Car in Illinois- Tips From The Secretary of State
Check out the tips that Mr. Jesse White, current Illinois Secretary of State offers for selling a used car privately!
Be sure to take off the license plates on the vehicle before you deliver it to the buyer. Those license plates are the property of the registered owner of the vehicle, not the vehicle itself.
Be sure to offer the buyer a valid title at the time you deliver the vehicle.
Then, the seller has to sign and date the title once the car sale is final.
If the car is coming from a dealership, the dealer must send the title, the sales tax as well as the transfer to the Secretary of State’s office. There the SOS agent will transfer it to the buyer.
Make sure that you fill out and then mail the Seller’s Report of Sale form. You will find this at the bottom of the title. You can then take it to the Secretary of State’s office.
If the title does not contain a Seller’s Report of Sale form, you can download it by clicking here!
Make sure that you obtain the buyer’s name and address. This is needed just in case there is an issue with the title or registration after the sale of the car.
Create a bill of sale for the buyer. Make sure that you include the date of sale as well as the price of the car. Be sure to keep a copy for your files.
Don’t forget to remove all vehicle registration and insurance cards from the vehicle.
Currently, Mr. Jesse White is the SOS. Click here for his direct contact information!
How To Sell Your Car In Illinois – Get the Best Price Possible!
Now that you have a great sense of what needs to be done to sell your car in Illinois, check out some tips that will get it sold!
Get a value for your car
Before you sell your car privately, know what it's worth. You can visit the Kelley Blue Book to get a value for your car. Remember that your car's value will vary, based upon its condition. But at least you'll have a “ballpark” figure for your car.
Assess your vehicle
Whether you have an SUV, a sedan or a van, you want to make sure that you know what kind of condition your car is in. What works well on the car? Knowing your car's attributes will make you an informed seller.
Get a vehicle report
As as seller, you want to be the best and most trusted seller out here. One way to accomplish this, is to give your perspective buyer a vehicle history report. The vehicle history report allows to see what the car has endured, if anything. For example, if the car has flood or frame damage, the vehicle history report will indicate it.
Clean the vehicle
Sure, it's an obvious tip, but one we thought we would pass along. No one wants to buy a dirty car. So, be sure to clean the inside as well as the exterior. If you can afford a detail job, get it done and then be sure to store it in a garage free from the elements.
Be negotiable
If you find that your car isn't selling as fast as you would like it to, you may have to negotiate the price of the car. Don't be afraid to come down a bit. Even $100 may help you to “seal the deal”
Selling a Car in Difficult Times
We are living in some uncertain times. But that doesn't mean that your car will not sell.
Keep the faith– Stay positive. You may just have to come down on the price, or simply wait a week or two.
Tell buyers how their lives will improve with the purchase of your vehicle – Whether you have a car and you have to discuss gas mileage, or a truck, share why your car is the best car for them. Your truck may be the best truck for that delivery business that man or woman is seeking to start. If gas prices are very low, then talk about how it takes just a few bucks to fill the tank of your beautiful used car.
You have a car to sell. You will sell it. Gather all documents, get the help you need, then sell!