DollarBreak is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation. Disclosure.
The content is for informational purposes only. Conduct your own research and seek advice of a licensed financial advisor. Terms.
How to Sell a Car in Massachusetts?
There are three main ways to sell your car in Massachusetts:
Jump to: Sell Car Privately
Jump to: Sell Car to Car Buying Website
Jump to: Sell Car to Dealership
TurnaroudEffort NeededBest ForPrivately7-14 daysMostUsed carsCar Buying Website24-72 hoursFill online formJunk and old carsDealership7-10 daysVisit officeMostly new cars
Sell Car Privately in Massachusetts
Like other states, Massachusetts also has guidelines that should be followed when selling your car privately. Here is a step by step process you can follow when selling your car in Massachusetts.
Requirements to Sell a Car in Massachusetts
Odometer disclosureBill of saleProof of insuranceCertificate of titleSalvage of damage disclosure
Step 1: Pre-sale Vehicle Inspection by a Third Party
Most private car buyers prefer to have licensed and qualified auto mechanics to help them with presale car inspections. Even though presale car inspection is not required in Massachusetts, having your car checked before proceeding with vehicle sale clears doubts and increases buyer confidence.
In most cases, buyers pay for a private car inspection. Therefore, you all need to agree on the venue and date when the inspection will be held. If your vehicle has issues after inspection, Michigan laws suggest that you keep the reports for your records.
Step 2: Prepare Your Vehicle for Sale
Prepare your car for sale by doing the following:
Remove all your personal belongings from the vehicle and trash from back seat pockets. Wash your vehicle and vacuum clean door mats and car seats to remove dust and debris. Fix damages; if the car has electrical, physical, or mechanical damages, this is the right time to fix it. Moreover, you can also do general car maintenance like changing oil, adjusting vehicle brakes, or topping off all fluidsTake clear and comprehensive photos that you will show potential buyers or use for listing on different marketing platforms.
Step 3: List Your Car for Sale on Marketplaces and Private Car Selling Websites
Once you have cleaned your car, create a listing for your car on different platforms to reach potential buyers. Some websites and platforms you can use to list your car include
When creating your listing, ensure you give detailed and comprehensive descriptions of your car to potential buyers. Include information like car model, make, color, and current condition. Additionally, you can also include if the vehicle has scratches or dents.
Step 4: Organiza Vehicle Documentation
You should gather vehicle documentation like:
Owner’s manualVehicle history reportsMaintenance records Vehicle registration details and information
Providing your potential buyer with detailed vehicle documents boosts buyers’ confidence that the vehicle is properly maintained.
Like other states, Massachusetts also conducts vehicle emission inspections. According to Massachusetts motor laws, vehicle emission and safety reports can not be shared with third parties.
Furthermore, the law suggests that used vehicles must undergo safety and emission inspection within 7 days after the sale of the vehicle is finalized.
Step 5: Bill of Sale
A Bill of Sale is not required in Massachusetts but having it is important because it helps solve disputes that might arise when the buyer transfers title. It also indicates that the vehicle was legally transferred.
According to Massachusetts laws, a Bill of Sale should contain;
Date of salePurchase priceCar model, make, and year of manufactureLegal names and signature of the buyer and sellerAddresses of the buyer and seller
Massachusetts laws recommended you and the seller should notarize the Bill of Sale.
Step 6: Get Paid
Before transferring or signing off the title, you should collect your payment. Choose the best payment method that works well for both parties.
Step 7: Transfer of Title
If your title is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can fill out and submit a replacement title form along with any fee associated with it. You will need to fill Assignment of title on the back of the title with information, including;
Date of vehicle purchaseBuyers name, signature, and addressSellers name, signature, and addressCar year of manufacturer, make, and models.
Besides, you can check the status of your vehicle certificate or confirm the accuracy of your lienholder information by visiting RMV website.
When selling your car to a family member state laws require that you complete tax exemption form MVU-26. Additionally, when gifting your vehicle state law further recommends that you complete tax exemption form MVU-24.
Step 8: Signing the Title
To sell your vehicle, Massachusetts motor vehicle laws suggests that you must sign the title in the presence of a notary. Failure to sign the title will lead to the state declaring that the sale of your vehicle is invalid.
Step 9: Remove Your Vehicle Plate
You need to remove your vehicle plate after the sale of the vehicle is finalized. If you don’t remove the plates, you might be held accountable for crimes or violations committed by the buyer.
After removing the license plates, you can return them to RMV offices or transfer or cancel them online
Step 10: Cancel Your Insurance
Once the sale of the vehicle is complete, you need to cancel your vehicle insurance immediately to avoid paying insurance for a car that is not in your possession.
Sell Car to Car Buying Website
Selling your car to car buying websites like Peddle and Wheelzy saves you time and money on taxes, and you also get the best deals for your car.
Besides, Peddle and Wheelzy helps you in handling the paperwork associated with selling cars, such as title transfer, making vehicle inspections, and filling or gathering vehicle documents.
Wheelzy and Peddle will provide you with an instant quote and buy your car within 48 hours. Once you are provided with the quote, you have 7 days to accept or decline the offer. If you accept the offer, respective company agents will contact you to schedule a pick up of your sold car.
Massachusetts state law allows buyers to ask for a refund within 30 days if the vehicle sold to them had defects.
Peddle
Peddle Summary
Buys used, damaged or junk car nationwideGet instant quote on (855) 925 4302Free towing within 48 hours after offerReceive payment upon car collection
How Much Peddle Will Pay for Your Car in Massachusetts
The table below shows few of the cars Peddle has recently purchased in Massachusetts
MakeYearOffer ValueCadillac (Escalade)2006$660Dodge (Charger)2010$495Buick (Lucern)2007$525
Wheelzy
Wheelzy Summary
Wheelzy stores are open 7 days a weekGet offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108Free towing of your car from your locationInstant payment via cash or check
How Much Wheelzy Will Pay for Your Car in Massachusetts?
Here are a few examples of Wheelzy’s recent purchases:
MakeMileageYearOffer ValueGMC (Yukon XL)Under250,0002004$500Mercury (Grand Marquis)150,0002004$257Honda (Accord Sedan)200,0002004$300
Sell Car to Dealership
Many car sellers prefer car dealerships because it offers them fairly competitive prices when selling their car. Additionally, most sellers also prefer dealers because they guide you on the best ways to price your vehicle to avoid overcharging or undercharging.
Before buying your car, most dealerships will inspect your car and then provide you with a quote depending on your vehicle’s current condition, make, model and mileage. You should note that prices quoted by different dealers might differ from the original car’s retail value.
If you accept the quote offered by Louisiana, the dealer expects you to drop the car and collect your payment.
Best dealerships in Massachusetts
Sell Car in Massachusetts FAQ
Which platforms can I use to generate vehicle reports in Massachusetts?
You can download history reports from CarFax or AutoCheck while in Massachusetts.
How do I check the value of my car in Massachusetts?
You use Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book to help you know the value of your car.
Does Massachusetts also include sales tax on vehicles?
You will be charged a sales tax of 6.25% on the vehicle’s original purchase price.
Apart from sales tax fee, which other cost will I be required to pay in Massachusetts?
Title transfer fee $75Add/Delete lienholder from title $25Vehicle registration fee is $60
What are the requirements to sell a car in Massachusetts?
You need a certificate of title, proof license, Odometer disclosure and damage salvage disclosure.