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How to Sell a Car in Connecticut?
There are three main ways to sell your car in Connecticut:
Jump to: Sell Car Privately
Jump to: Sell Car to Car Buying Website
Jump to: Sell Car to Dealership
TurnaroudEffort NeededBest ForPrivately7-14 daysMostUsed carsCar Buying Website24-72 hoursFill online formJunk and old carsDealership7-10 daysVisit officeMostly new cars
Sell Car Privately in Connecticut
If you’re looking for how to sell a car privately in Connecticut, then look no further. Selling your car privately allows you to get much more money than if you took it to a dealer and gives room for negotiations. While there are things that every Connecticut car seller has to do, here is a guide on how to sell a car privately in Connecticut;
Requirements to Sell Your Car in Connecticut:
Certificate of Title, including the buyer’s name, signature, and address.
Odometer reading if the car is not older than ten years
Rebuilt from salvage disclosure if need be
Bill of Sale, including
Buyer’s name and address
Your name and address
Vehicle description such as make, model year, color, and VIN
Sales price
Date of sale
Your signature
Vehicle History Report to help you present yourself as a trustworthy seller
Step 1: Prepare the Car
The first step towards selling your car is preparing it for sale. You need to;
Remove anything and everything from the interior. Also, empty all the consoles, ashtrays, glove compartment, and the boot.
Clean under the seats, and remove anything that might be there.
Clean the inside of the car. You can start by removing the floor mats and vacuuming the whole interior including the vents. Next, you need to vacuum the mats before returning them.
Wipe the windows and clean the inside door jambs. Do not also forget to wash the wheels especially if they are covered with dust.
Step 2: List the Car for Sale
Once you’ve prepared the car for sale, the next step is letting buyers know your vehicle is available to buy. If you are listing your car for sale, you are expected to provide information such as its mileage, age, make, model, and engine specifications.
Next, you need to take photos of your car and post the ad on free online marketplaces like on sites like Craigslist, eBay Motors, Cars.com, and Bring a Trailer. Don’t forget to be truthful while describing the car. This way, you can build confidence with prospective buyers.
Step 3: Have the Vehicle Inspected by a Third Party
While Connecticut law does not require pre-sale inspection, it’s a good idea to allow the buyer to bring a third party to carry out the inspection. Although most buyers will pay for the inspection it’s best if you agree on when and where to do the inspection. If the vehicle is found with issues, make sure you keep a record of everything.
Step 4: Document the Sale
Once you’ve agreed on the price with the buyer, you need to create a bill of sale. While Connecticut doesn’t require this, it provides a standard Bill of Sale form H-31. But if you don’t want to use this bill, you can create one with the following information;
Name and address of the buyer
Name and address of the seller
Year, make, and model of the vehicle
The odometer reading of the date of sale
The vehicle identification number
Sale price
Date of sale
Signatures of buyer and seller
If you wish to give the vehicle as a gift, you are required to include the purchase price of Gift/$0 on the document.
While gifted vehicles are exempted from sale and use tax, you and the buyer are required to sign a Motor Vehicle Gift Declaration Form AU 463. Moreover, purchases between family members are exempted from sales or use tax.
Step 5: Sign Over the Title
Although the bill of sale acts as a receipt of the sale, the only way to legally transfer ownership is by completing the reverse side of the title. You and your buyer will both need to sign and keep a copy of the bill of sale as well as a title certificate.
If your car’s title is damaged or stolen, you can apply for a new one by paying the related fees. If there is a lien, you must submit a release letter together with the replacement form. You can do this by either visiting the Connecticut DMV office or applying online.
In case the owner of the vehicle has passed and you are the only surviving owner, you are required to sign the document as the sole owner of the title transfer. In case the names are not separated by a conjunction, only one seller is required to sign the document.
Step 6: Report the Sale
After completing the selling process, you need to report the sale. Since this is a requirement, you need to provide the vehicle details and all information about the buy to the Connecticut DMV office.
Step 7: Remove the License Plates and Cancel the Insurance
Since your car is subject to property tax assessment where it’s registered, removing the plates and canceling the registration is a very important step.To do this visit, you can visit DMV. you can also cancel your license plates by email or online
If you are doing this online, make sure you keep a copy of the receipt, as this can be used for tax adjustments. Once your car’s registration is canceled, you can cancel your liability insurance. By doing this, you’ll transfer the liability of the car to the new owner.
Sell Car to Car Buying Website in Connecticut
Peddle
Get your free offer instantly via online form or call on (855) 925 4302
$0 fees + you don’t have to pay for towing – Peddle will take care of it
Get paid in check during the pick up for any car (damaged, junk, wrecked)
CarBrain
Get an offer within 2 minutes and sell your damaged car within 24 hours
Free vehicle towing and no fees to getting rid of your damaged car
The tow truck driver will arrive with your check (nationwide service)
Wheelzy
Quick car evaluation without the hassle – sell your car within 30 min
Choose a convenient date and time for free pick-up, as soon as next day
Get cash in hand the same day the Wheelzy agent picks up your car
Car buying services like Peddle, CarBrain and Wheelzy have become increasingly popular over the years. Since they make the process simple and convenient, they can help you get rid of the car fast.
While you might not receive as much as you would if you sell the car privately, the process is meant to be hassle-free.
To sell your car to car buying websites, you need to provde details such as:
You will then receive an offer that you can either accept or decline.
Peddle
Peddle Summary
Sell used, damaged or junk car nationwideGet instant quote on (855) 925 4302Free towing within 48 hours after offerReceive payment upon car collection
How Much Peddle Will Pay for Your Car in Connecticut?
The table below shows few of the cars Peddle has recently purchased in Connecticut
MakeYearOffer ValueVolkswagen (Passat)2002$380Mercedes Benz (CLK)2006$320Chevrolet (Malibu)2012$330
Wheelzy
Wheelzy Summary
Wheelzy stores are open 7 days a weekGet offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108Free towing of your car from your locationInstant payment via cash or check
How Much Wheelzy Will Pay for Your Car in Connecticut?
Here are a few examples of Wheelzy’s recent purchases:
MakeMileageYearOffer ValueToyota (Prius)Under 250,0002008$500Nissan (Maxima)Under 200,0002005$480Mitsubishi (Galant)Under 150,0002003$199
CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
Get an online offer within 2 minutesGet cash for your car in under 48 hoursCarBrain buys cars in over 7 conditionsUp to 7 days to accept CarBrain’s offer
How Much CarBrain Will Pay for Your Car in Connecticut?
The table below shows few of the cars CarBrain has recently purchased in Connecticut
MakeMileageYearConditionOffer ValuePorsche (911)57,0002002Mechanical Damage: Engine$7,800Toyota (Sienna)126,0002012Mechanical Damage: Transmission$6,000Hyundai (Kona)30,0002018Mechanical Damage: Other, Collision Damage: Passenger Side$4,250
Sell Car to Dealership
While selling your car privately may seem appealing, the long wait and the energy you have to use may make you opt for a dealership. Apart from saving yourself from the hassles of selling, a dealership allows you to avoid the potential loss of money to scammers.
Since most dealerships pay instantly, you’ll not have to wait for monthly payments of checks to arrive. Before looking for dealerships, ensure your car is in good condition. You should also gather all the necessary documents and items, including maintenance records, car keys, and more.
To sell your car:
visit the dealership and inform them that you intend to sell you
Provide all the information and get an offer depending on what other dealerships
Accept the offer, you can close the deal by discussing the terms of payments and when you’ll receive the money
Best dealerships in Connecticut
Sell Car in Connecticut FAQ
What do I need to sell a used car in Connecticut?
To sell a car in Connecticut, you’ll need to complete the Certificate of Title and give it to the buyer along with a bill of sale.
What are the most important things to keep in mind when selling a car in Connecticut?
When selling a car in Connecticut, you need to study the market conditions, sort out the paperwork and have the car inspected.
Does Connecticut require a bill of sale?
Yes. Connecticut requires a Bill of Sale and proof of ownership document.
Must I remove license plates when I sell a car in Connecticut?
Yes. Connecticut laws require you to remove the license plates and then cancel their registration before you can complete the sale.
How can I transfer the vehicle title?
To transfer the car’s title, visit your local CT Department of Motor Vehicles. They handle all the paperwork if you sell the vehicle to a dealership.