Explain the full process of buying a car off a private owner?

Question

Make me understand this, lol. Say A car is 2000, and I have 2000. And i want to buy it. What is the full, in detail process that i would have to go through.

hope you guys can help!

Answer 1

In MD

(1) You need MD inspection certificate.
(2) You need a signed title from seller.
(3) You need proof of sale.
(4) You go to MVA with all 3 documents and cash required to register and title the vehicle in your name.
(5) MVA issues you a new title, new registration and new tags.
(6) Call your insurance agent and add the car to your policy.
(7) You return to the car, you place the new tags on the car and give the old ones to the seller for him to cancel his registration and insurance.
(8) Drive away happy.

Answer 2

Different states, different processes. General rule of thumb:

1. Make sure this is the car you want.
2. Take it to a mechanic and get it checked out thoroughly to make sure it is worth what you are paying is a good price.
3. Make sure you want the car.
4. Private sales are "as is" so make sure you want the car, and are wiling to buy it "as is"
5. Seller needs to sign the title where it says "signature of seller"
Usually the date and mileage are also required as well as
their printed name.
6. You still have time to change your mind...make sure you
want the car!
7. DO NOT erase/white out/ cross out or try to fix any errors or
mistakes that may happen. Take the title to your local DMV
and ask what needs to be done to fix the error. It is a legal
document and any altertions (errors/cross outs etc) will void
the title.
8. Now that you want the car, pay for the car.
9. Some states require the title to be notorized some do not.
10 Some states require a "bill of sale" from the seller, some
don't. So get it if you state requires it.
11. Contact your insurance company and have the car insured.
12. Fill out the title in your name if the seller hasn't already, and
sign at "Signature of Buyer" See # 7 about errors.
13. Fill out and sign any state forms that are required in your
state.
13.. Get any state inspections that are required need to be done.
Some states require a vin inspection or a safety inspection
before they will transfer ownership.
14. Go to your local DMV or Notary or office that titles and
registers vehicles, pay for the title and registration and
any sales or state, county, city taxes that are required by
your state.
15. It's your car now...can't change your mind...hope this is what you want!!!

Answer 3

1) meet with the owner/seller and take the car on a test drive, not a little spin around the block, but a proper test drive for AT LEAST 15 minutes. Take the seller with you for the drive so that you can aks him/her any questions as they come up (gives them less time to try to come up with a fake answer) It is better to do the drive during daylight hours as nighttime can hide things obviously.

2) Ask what repairs or maintanence have been done recently, and if they can provide reciepts. If they can't provide reciepts, assume that it has not been done in the past 12 months, and adjust price to compensate for upcoming possible repairs.

3) Pay close attention to the sounds that the car makes and any shakes or trembles, watch the dash lights, see if they dim, flicker etc. Try everthing once, the turn signals, windsheild wipers, heater, AC etc. Once the drive is done, fully inspect the outside and inside of the car for mold, dents, rust, etc. Turn on all of the lights and check that they work OK, get the seller to tap the brakes so you can check the rear lights as well.

4) Once all of your questions are answered, and you are still interested, make the seller an offer to buy subject to a lien and accident search and a vehicle inspection. Take down the VIN or serial number and search it at your local CAA. If you don't do the lien search, you could end up with a car that belongs to the bank if the seller defaults on a loan...if you don't do the inspection, you could end up with a lemon and nothing you can do...

5) Once you have a go ahead from the VIN search, you can contact the seller and make a reasonable offer. You may have to haggle, but that's just part of the experience.

6) Come back with cash or a certified cheque or draft and get ALL keys and neccesary paperwork. Get the seller to sign a transfer paper and go to your local insurance agency to get it changed to your name.

7) Overall, it's buyer beware. If you don't do the searches, you don't have any way to get your money back from the seller. Although they are required to advise you of anything that they know of that is going wrong or needs to be fixed, if you don't get a full inspection, you don't have a leg to stand on if something happens.

Answer 4

you purchase the car, but first you should call and get an insurance quote. If your satisfied with it and you buy the car, make sure he/she signs the title, and then you sign the title, insure it, drive it home, and it depends on what state you live in, but you have a certain amount of days to register the car with the state. Some states call it the DMV (Department of motor vehicles). Register the car, get your license plate/Temporary plate. Done! Pretty simple.

Answer 5

Probably depends on your state, but in CA you have to pay "use tax" (sales tax) when you register the car. So don't forget to add that amount to your budget. Check your state's DMV website for details.