How to Sell a Car in Washington

The steps and process for selling a vehicle online are different in every state. Learn how to sell your used car or truck privately in Washington.

Whether you live in the Coastal Range, Puget Sound Lowlands, Cascade Range, Rocky Mountain Region or the Columbia Plateau of Washington, if you are thinking about privately selling your used car or truck, you’ve come to the right place. With an estimated 3 million registered trucks and cars in the state of Washington, it is no wonder that thousands of private car owners from the Evergreen state have used Autotrader to sell their car. We’ve outlined below the eight steps and forms required for how to sell a car in the state of Washington so you can sell your car quickly for the most cash. Most U.S. states consider the vehicle title a legal document which is why it is advised to use the legal names (no nicknames) of both parties involved along with legible handwriting using a black or blue ink. Mistakes, errors and using white out may void the document so be careful and take your time filling it out.

Step 1: Allow the Buyer to Have the Car Inspected by a Third Party
Step 2: Clean Out the Vehicle
Step 3: Remove the License Plates
Step 4: Complete a Bill of Sale
Step 5: Collect Payment from the Seller
Step 6: Sign the Title to Formally Transfer Ownership
Step 7: File a Report of Sale
Step 8: Cancel any Insurance and Subscription Services Associated with the Vehicle

Step 1: Allow the Buyer to Have the Car Inspected by a Third Party

Most vehicle shoppers who buy a car privately pay for a pre-purchase vehicle inspection conducted by a qualified and licensed auto mechanic of their choosing. Although the prospective buyer pays for this inspection, the seller and buyer must agree on when and where the inspection is to be held. If the inspection does find any issues with the car, it is a good idea for you as the seller to keep the report for your records.

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Step 2: Clean Out the Vehicle

Assuming the buyer wants to move forward with the sale after having the vehicle inspected, make sure you clean it out before moving forward with the transaction. In light of recent events, cleanliness will really help sell your car. But it’s about more than just making it clean – remove all your personal things. If you have photo key fob, take that off. If you have stickers or personalized decals inside or out, remove those as well. While removing all personal possessions is a given, this is also a good time to scan your garage for anything that originally came with the vehicle that you’ve since removed, such as floor mats, cargo nets, and even cup holder liners. Finally, remove all registration and insurance cards from the glovebox and keep them with you.

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Step 3: Remove the License Plates

To initiate the sale, first remove your license plates from the vehicle. These stay with you. Leaving them on the vehicle could make you responsible for infractions committed by the new owner, such as parking tickets or speed camera tickets.

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Step 4: Complete a Bill of Sale

The buyer will need a Bill of Sale, signed by you, in order to apply for a new title and pay the required fees and taxes on the vehicle. Additionally, it’s a good idea for you as the seller to keep a Bill of Sale for your own records. Therefore, two copies should be prepared; one for the seller, and one for the buyer.

The Bill of Sale includes information about the vehicle, the buyer, and the seller. It does not constitute a Report of Sale, which we’ll discuss more in the next step. The Washington State Department of Licensing provides a Bill of Sale that can be partially completed online. Required information includes the vehicle’s make, model, year, license plate number, registration number, vehicle identification number, the sale date and price, and the names, addresses, and signatures of all buyers and sellers.

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Step 5: Collect Payment from the Seller

Before putting pen to paper on the title, it’s a good idea to collect payment from the seller.

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Step 6: Sign the Title to Formally Transfer Ownership

In order for a vehicle to be sold in the state of Washington, it has to have a title. If you’ve lost the title, a replacement can be obtained through the Department of Licensing. The replacement costs $35.50 and takes about ten weeks to arrive but can be expedited for an additional $85.50.

To transfer ownership of the vehicle, the seller must sign the front of the title in two places, while the buyer signs in just one place. If there is more than one seller named on the title and their names are separated by “or” then only one of the sellers needs to sign vehicle title in order to transfer it to the buyer. If there is more than one seller named on the title and their names are separated by “and” or “and/or” then both sellers need to sign the title before it is transferred to the buyer. If nothing separates the owner names, both must sign. The same applies to multiple buyers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) odometer disclosure requirements were updated in December 2020 impacting certain private vehicle sales in Washington: For a vehicle transfer that occurs from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2030, any vehicle of model year 2011 or newer (2012, 2013, etc.) will require an odometer disclosure. Starting on January 1, 2031, any vehicle that is less than 20 model years old will require an odometer disclosure. Previously, the NHTSA required disclosure was for only the first 10 years. Cars older than 2010 are exempt from odometer disclosures.

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Step 7: File a Report of Sale

The Report of Sale conveys to the state of Washington that the vehicle has changed ownership. Similar to removing your license plates, this report ensures that the seller isn’t responsible for infractions committed by the vehicle’s new owner. Information required for completing the Report of Sale includes the vehicle’s license plate number, the date of sale, the sale price, the name and address of the individual who purchased the vehicle, and the vehicle identification number.

The state of Washington charges $13.25 to report the sale of a vehicle. The seller should file a report of sale within 5 business days of the transaction taking place. If you, as the owner, gifted or donated the vehicle to someone else you’ll still need to file a report of sale. A report of sale can be filed online, in person at any vehicle licensing office, or by mail. Keep a copy of the report of sale for your records.

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Step 8: Cancel any Insurance and Subscription Services Associated with the Vehicle

Once the vehicle is out of your possession, remember to cancel your insurance policy on the vehicle. Additionally, remember to cancel any telematics, satellite radio, or internet subscriptions associated with the vehicle as well.

For more information, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.

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Questions about selling your car in Washington? We have answers.

Do I remove my license plate when I sell a car in Washington?

Is a Bill of Sale required for selling a car in Washington?

Do I need to have a valid emissions report if I sell a car privately in Washington?

Does a bill of sale have to be notarized in Washington?

Does a vehicle title have to be notarized in Washington?