The procedures and approach for selling a car online vary by state. Discover how to sell your used car or truck in Rhode Island confidentially.
If you reside in Providence, Providence County, Kent County, Bristol County, Newport County, or Washington County, Rhode Island, and want to sell your old vehicle or truck privately, you've come to the perfect location. With an estimated 500,000 registered trucks and vehicles in Rhode Island, it's no surprise that cashforcarsinc.com has helped thousands of individual vehicle sellers in the Ocean State sell their cars. We've explained the five procedures and documents necessary to know how to sell a car in Rhode Island below, so you may sell your automobile promptly and for the maximum amount of money.
Remember that most states regard the car title as a legal document, so use the legal names (no nicknames) of both individuals involved as well as legible handwriting in black or blue ink. Mistakes, typos, and the use of white-out may render the document null and worthless, so be cautious and take your time filling it out.
Step 1: Allow the buyer to have a third party assess the vehicle
Many private automobile buyers pay for a pre-purchase vehicle check performed by a skilled and certified auto technician of their choice. Although the buyer pays for the inspection, the seller and buyer must agree on the date and location of the inspection. If the inspection reveals any problems with the vehicle, you should save the report for your records as the seller. Although Rhode Island does not mandate this inspection and does not require any documents to be completed, it is a good idea for the buyer to have the inspection conducted prior to the acquisition.
Step 2: Organize and collect all vehicle papers
It's a good idea to gather all maintenance records, the owner's handbook, and other vehicle-related information. If you can supply the buyer with extensive and detailed maintenance documents, the buyer will have trust that you've maintained the car properly and on a regular basis, which can help you sell the car faster. You should also think about providing a car history record from a provider like CarFax or AutoCheck.
The title certificate is the most critical document to have when selling an automobile. If a lien exists on the title, the lienholder must release interest in the vehicle before it may be sold. This can be accomplished by the seller either paying off the automobile or obtaining a lien release from the lienholder. A title is only necessary for private vehicle transactions involving vehicles manufactured in 2001 or after. For older vehicles, the buyer might use a bill of sale to register the vehicle in their name.
Step 3: Create a Bill of Sale
For private automobile acquisitions in Rhode Island, both the buyer and seller must sign a bill of sale. The Rhode Island DMV, on the other hand, does not have an official bill of sale form. You may obtain a generic bill of sale form from a website such as LegalZoom. The following information should be required on the bill of sale:
- Vehicle Year, Make, and Model
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Vehicle Color
- Sale Date
- Purchase cost
- Address of the seller(s)
- Legal name and signature of the seller(s)
- If relevant, the odometer reading on the date of sale
The vendor must supply his or her name, address, and signature, but the buyer is not required to do so. We urge that the buyer submit their contact information and sign the bill of sale. After it's filled out and signed, the seller should create a duplicate and keep it as confirmation that the automobile has legally changed hands.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) odometer disclosure standards for private car purchases in Rhode Island were modified in December 2020. Any vehicle of the model year 2011 or newer (2012, 2013, etc.) that is transferred between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2030, will require an odometer disclosure. Beginning January 1, 2031, every vehicle less than 20 model years old will be required to have an odometer disclosure. Previously, the NHTSA only mandated disclosure for the first ten years. Cars manufactured before 2010 are exempt from odometer disclosures.
Step 4: Change the title
If the vehicle's title is lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you can obtain a replacement or duplicate Rhode Island title by completing Form TR-2/TR-9. A duplicate title can be obtained by submitting the paperwork to the DMV in Cranston, RI, along with a $52.50 fee. Remember that this procedure might take up to 90 days.
When selling an automobile privately in Rhode Island, both the buyer and the seller must fill out the applicable areas on the back of the title. This information contains the buyer's and seller's legal names, addresses, and signatures, as well as the date of the transaction and the odometer reading. When this is filled out correctly and legibly, the buyer can easily transfer registration and obtain a new plate. If the title shows more than one owner, the following number of signatures will be required based on the link between the names: Furthermore, all individuals specified must sign. Alternatively, either vendor can sign; just one signature is necessary. If no connection is specified, the default will be "and," and all owners (sellers) must sign.
If you want to give a car to a relative, you must transfer the vehicle title and complete and have notarized a Gift of Motor Vehicle Affidavit using Form SU 87-65, as well as a notarized gift letter in lieu of a bill of sale. It's a similar process to inheriting a car, but you'll need to file proof of the inheritance with the county along with the title of the vehicle in question. If the car's owner has died, Rhode Island offers this information to transfer the vehicle as well as information for a surviving spouse.
Step 5: Take off your license plates and cancel your insurance
Before passing over the car to the buyer, the seller must remove their license plates. If you do not, you may be held accountable for any infractions that occur after the buyer takes ownership of the car. After selling your car, you must terminate your registration by returning your license plates to any DMV facility. You might also mail your plates to the following location and receive a receipt:
RI DMVPlate Department
600 New London Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920
To avoid paying for insurance on a car you no longer own, cancel your insurance as soon as you remove your plates.
Visit the Rhode Island DMV website for further information. The Rhode Island DMV also has a collection of commonly asked questions and vehicle paperwork that you may find useful.
The Easier Way to Sell Your Car
Now that you've learned everything there is to know about selling a car in Rhode Island, it's time to determine where to list it. Cashforcarsinc.com makes it simple to sell your car. With ready-to-sign state documentation, encrypted chat, and more, our platform provides all the tools and recommendations you need to make the transaction a breeze.
