How to Sell a Car in Massachusetts

In order to sell a car in Massachusetts, you need a plan, the necessary documents and knowledge of the laws that apply to selling a car. This is especially true in Massachusetts due to the state's strong consumer protection laws. Here's how to sell a car in Massachusetts.

Things You'll Need

• Title to the car
• List of defects or problems
• Bill of sale

Instructions

1. Understand the legal obligations you have when you sell a car in Massachusetts. Under the Used Vehicle Warranty Law, you must inform a buyer of any known safety or mechanical problems the car has. It’s best to have a written list of any such problems. In addition, under the Lemon Aid Law, any vehicle sold in Massachusetts must be able to pass the state inspection. If a buyer has the car checked within 7 days of the sale and it fails, he can return it for a full refund.

2. Have the necessary documents ready ahead of time. You will need the title to the car, of course. It is the buyer’s responsibility to register the change in ownership. It’s also wise to provide a bill of sale. You can use the link below to go to online websites where you can create and print a bill of sale form. Finally, there is a link to the online version of the Kelly Blue Book where you can find out the fair market value of your car (see Resources below).

3. Clean and detail the car before you show it to potential buyers. This will make it easier to sell your car. If you are selling a vehicle that has considerable value, it may be worth spending a little money to do a tune-up or make minor repairs.

4. Advertise your car. Getting the word out is the key to selling a car quickly. You can advertise online, in automotive buyer guides and in the newspaper. Some people even put up a website with good quality photos of the car and include the Web address in their advertisements.

5. Be sure to inform prospective buyers of any problems when you negotiate the sale. When you strike a deal, give the buyer a copy of the bill of sale and list of any problems, and keep copies for your self. Normally, you will also remove the car tags and keep those—it is the buyer’s responsibility to get their own tags.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Create a Bill of Sale
• Kelly Blue Book