Selling car privately in CA

Workday
thyrku

Go to company page Workday

thyrku
Jul 5, 2019 19 Comments

First time selling car. Researched online but still worried I might miss a step. Can anyone who sold car recently provide insight?

1. Smog test

2. There are only 2 documents are needed.
a) original title - Keep top portion. Give bottom portion to buyer.
b)Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form REG 262 - call DMV to have this form mailed to me

3. After sale, submit the forms above to DMV in person. Can this be done online?

4. Report the transfer to DMV within 5 days. Can also do this online.

When meeting buyer, i plan to take photo of drivers license and their car insurance. Plan to have buyer go to the bank with me to transfer fund before filling up forms and giving the bottom portion of title to them.

Anything else I should be aware of?

Thanks!

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 TOP 19 Comments
  • Cisco
    Hnay279

    Go to company page Cisco

    Hnay279
    you don't need to fill out the title transfer thing, just do it online. if you fill it out and mail it in, you have a 50% chance of receiving a "YOUR REGISTRATION WILL BE SUSPENDED" letter for the vehicle anyways. do it online and it's guaranteed to go into their database.
    Jul 5, 2019 9
    • Workday
      thyrku

      Go to company page Workday

      thyrku
      OP
      Thanks! The only documentation I need to pass to buyer is the bottom portion of the title? Odometer should be filled out in the title.

      The only documentation I as seller need to do is to submit release of liability online?
      Jul 7, 2019
    • Cisco
      Hnay279

      Go to company page Cisco

      Hnay279
      the buyer needs the title to register the car under their name. yes, once you release your liability, anything that happens with the car is not your fault even if the buyer never registers it for some reason
      Jul 7, 2019
  • Yelp / Eng
    sJJv80

    Go to company page Yelp Eng

     sJJv80
    2.c) Write a bill of sale for the buyer with the actual purchase amount.
    Jul 5, 2019 1
  • Tesla
    Nik0la

    Go to company page Tesla

    Nik0la
    You don’t really need a 262 unless you don’t have a title. 3 main documents only tbh:
    1. Title (in your name and no lien holder aka bank/part-owner)
    2. Smog should be done within 90 days of transferring vehicle
    3. Bill of sale. PDF can be downloaded from DMV.

    I used to flip cars back in college.
    You can always get more for your car by selling to private party vs dealer trade-in.
    Jul 5, 2019 4
    • Tesla
      Nik0la

      Go to company page Tesla

      Nik0la
      People bringing car for inspection depends on case to case. If you have the car fax report it will only strengthen your case and buyer feels more comfortable. It’s not a requirement from the seller though.
      Smog should be done before transferring papers, I just mentioned 90 days to tell you that it shouldn’t be older than 90.
      No need to go to stand in line. You can just go at the front desk and drop the papers off. (Release of liability and the bill of sales).
      Jul 5, 2019
    • Tesla
      Nik0la

      Go to company page Tesla

      Nik0la
      The record is posted in DMV database but make sure you get a copy of the certificate. Btw, you should have two bill of sales; one for you and one for the buyer.
      Jul 5, 2019
  • Cisco / IT
    lkc@it

    Go to company page Cisco IT

     lkc@it
    What forms required if the car is financed and bank has the title? Should buyer write the check to me or bank?
    Jul 8, 2019 0
  • Oath
    Atinlay2

    Go to company page Oath

    Atinlay2
    What a PITA
    Jul 5, 2019 0