How to Sell a Used Car In Tennessee?

Author By Agnibhu -
How to Sell a Used Car In Tennessee?

The procedures and approach for selling a car online vary by state. Discover how to sell your used car or truck in Tennessee confidentially.

If you live in Eastern, Central, or Western Tennessee and want to sell your old automobile or truck privately, you've come to the perfect location. With an estimated 2.7 million registered trucks and vehicles in Tennessee, it's no surprise that thousands of individual vehicle sellers have utilized cashforcarsinc.com to sell their cars. We've explained the four stages and documents needed to sell a car in Tennessee so you can 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 correction fluid, such as White-Out, may render the document null and void, 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. Tennessee does not require this inspection, and there are no documents to fill out, but it is a good idea for the buyer to have it completed prior to the acquisition.

Step 2: Organize and collect all vehicle papers

Find all maintenance records, the owner's manual, and other vehicle-related papers. If you can offer the buyer extensive and thorough maintenance documents, it will give the buyer confidence that the automobile has been properly and regularly maintained. 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 a vehicle. 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 car or obtaining a lien release from the lienholder. Paperwork Required Before Selling Your Car: Everything You Need To Know About

Tennessee is not one of the states that requires a bill of sale for Tennessee a private car transaction. While a bill of sale is not needed, having one is generally a good idea. To make it quick and easy, businesses like LegalZoom offer bill of sale templates.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA of Tennessee ) odometer disclosure standards, which affect some private car purchases in Tennessee, were amended 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. The Tennessee Department of Revenue's website has an odometer disclosure statement.

Step 3: Change the title

If the vehicle's title is lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you can obtain a replacement or duplicate Tennessee title by completing form RV-F1315201. A duplicate title can be obtained by submitting that paperwork to the DMV along with an $11 fee.

Both the buyer and the seller must complete 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. If the car is less than ten years old, make sure you fill out the odometer reading. When this is filled out correctly and legibly, the buyer can easily transfer registration and obtain a new plate.

If more than one seller is listed on the title and their names are separated by "or," just one of the sellers is required to sign the car title in order to transfer it to the buyer. If the title lists more than one seller and their names are separated by "and" or "and/or," both sellers must sign the title before it is transferred to the buyer. The same is true for many purchasers.

If you want to give an automobile to a relative, you'll need to fill out a Non-Dealer Transfer Affidavit (form RV-F1301201). If you're inheriting a vehicle, the process is identical to the one explained below, but you'll need to file an affidavit of inheritance with the county along with the vehicle's title. Use form RV-F1315201 to transfer and modify the title and registration to a surviving spouse's name. If the name is changed during the first year following the death, there is no price; after that, the usual car title fee applies. An affidavit of inheritance, as previously noted, may also be necessary. 

If the title comes from Tennessee, a notary is not required to witness the buyer and seller signing it. The title must be notarized if it comes from another state, with one exception: Kentucky automobile titles do not need to be notarized if sold to a Tennessee buyer.

Step 4: 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. To avoid paying for insurance on a car you no longer own, cancel your insurance as soon as you remove your plates.

Visit the Tennessee DMV website for further information. The Tennessee DMV also offers this useful collection of car forms.

The Easier Way to Sell Your Car

Now that you've learned everything there is to know about selling a car in, it's time to figure out where you're going to list it. 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.


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