Basics
51 articles in this category
Questions to ask a private seller before you buy a used car
Nine questions to ask a private seller, each matched to the document or free federal lookup that proves the answer, plus the clause to copy into your bill of sale.
Buying a car from a private seller with a bank loan: how it works
With a private-party auto loan, the lender pays the seller or the seller's lender and goes on your title as lienholder. Here is the paperwork order.
Do you pay taxes when you sell your car?
Most people who sell a used car owe nothing, because the car sold for less than they paid. The IRS still treats it as a capital asset, so a profit is taxable and a loss is not deductible. Here is how that works, and when it actually comes up.
Can a minor buy a car?
A teen can pay for a car, but contract, title, and insurance rules get in the way. Here is how minors buy cars and what sellers should ask for.
Anatomy of a bill of sale: clauses explained
A standard bill of sale has about eight working parts, and each one exists because somebody once argued about it. Here is what belongs in every clause, and the mistake people make most often.
Motorcycle bill of sale: What to include
A field by field guide to the motorcycle bill of sale, including the VIN, engine and frame numbers, odometer disclosure, as-is language, off-road bikes, and notary rules.
Do lemon laws apply to a private car sale?
Lemon laws protect buyers of new vehicles under a manufacturer warranty, and the FTC Used Car Rule binds dealers. A private sale is usually as-is, so the buyer's protection comes from somewhere else.
Boat bill of sale: what to include
Field by field, everything a boat bill of sale should contain: both parties, the HIN, the motor serial, the trailer VIN, itemized prices, as-is language, and the signatures that make it stick.
The most you can recover in small-claims court after a private car sale
A private car sale that goes bad often lands in small-claims court. The dollar cap you can recover swings from $2,500 to $25,000 depending on your state.
Snowmobile bill of sale: what to include and what states require
Some states title snowmobiles, others only register them, and the trail pass is a separate purchase from both. Here is how the paperwork works in the major snowmobile states and exactly what your sale document should list.
Can you get car insurance with just a bill of sale?
Most insurers will issue a policy on a newly purchased car using the bill of sale and the VIN as proof of insurable interest, and in most states you need that policy before you can register. Here is how the process works.
What a lien or encumbrance is, and how to tell if a car has one
A lien is a legal claim that lets someone else take a car if a debt goes unpaid. Here is how liens land on a title, why they block a clean sale, and how to check.