Whether you buy or sell a used car, you need to make sure that you submit all the documents and complete the used car trading properly. Although the laws governing the sale of motor vehicles vary from state to state, the general framework of the agreement is similar. Please check with the motor vehicle administration of your state for specific steps.

As a private seller, you need to make sure your car is properly paid for and limit your liability (in case the new owner crashes after driving away). Next, let's take a look at the used car trading between the buyer and the seller.

As a buyer, you have to prove that you are the new legal owner of the vehicle in order to register. In most cases, that means you have to get a title from the seller, often referred to as a "termination notice," or possibly a sales slip. Take the appropriate documents with you to your state's DMV or motor vehicle registry, where you may be required to pay sales tax before you receive a new registration, ownership, and (in some states) new license plate.

When you sell your car

Collection: cash is the easiest way to collect money for your car. The buyer may ask for a cash receipt. If you provide a sales note, this will be used as a receipt. In addition, if you or the buyer prefer to use a cashier's check, make sure to meet at the buyer's Bank in accordance with these security tips.

When the vehicle is sold remotely, you can use a third party hosting service to facilitate the transaction. Custody service is mainly to verify whether the funds have been paid and transfer the funds from the buyer to the seller.

It's unwise to accept a buyer's forward payment commitment, even if it's someone you know. If the car breaks down, the owner's motivation to pay you back will drop sharply. You have every right to refuse floating repayment, and in most cases, the buyer will understand and quietly withdraw the loan.

Limit your liability: what if someone runs away in a car you just sold and has an accident? Can you take responsibility? There are two ways to solve this problem. First, record the odometer readings and sign off the ownership of the vehicle to the buyer. Second, in most states, you can download the disclaimer form from the motor vehicle registration website. The story has to do with different motor vehicle departments.

Dealing with complex issues: what if the buyer calls you the next day and asks you to take the car back? Or what if the buyer claims that you didn't disclose some information about the car, or that you found a mechanical problem?

Buyers and sellers should bear in mind that most states assume that used car trading are sold "as is.". This means that there is no commitment or guarantee after the completion of the transaction. If you are a buyer, be sure to check the car thoroughly before you buy it. Sellers can avoid trouble by encouraging buyers to check.

If you don't want to risk a private party, there's a safer option in Edmonds. Evaluate your car to get an immediate offer, which applies for 7 days among participating dealers.

List of auto dealers

Smoke test if your state needs it.

Fill out an exemption form, including the current mileage, and submit it to the vehicle authority.

Provide maintenance records (if any) to new owners.

Accept cash payment, can use bank notes, if it is remote sales, can be through the third party escrow service.

Remove the vehicle's license plate (if required by your state).

Remove personal belongings from the glove compartment and other storage areas.

Give these two sets of keys to the new owner, together with the warranty of the car, batteries, tires, etc.

Cancel car insurance.