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Best Way to Sell a Car in Massachusetts
Peddle
Get a legit offer in minutes – provide VIN, mileage and condition
$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)
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
CarBrain
Get an offer within 2 minutes and sell your damaged car within 48 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)
How to Sell a Car in Massachusetts?
There are three main ways to sell your car in Massachusetts:
Jump to: Sell Car Privately
Jump to: Sell Car to Car Buying Website
Jump to: Sell Car to Dealership
TurnaroudEffort NeededBest ForPrivately52 days (on average)Multiple stepsUsed carsCar Buying Website1-2 daysFill online formOld and junk carsDealership5-7 daysVisit officeNewer cars
Sell Car Privately in Massachusetts
Requirements to Sell a Car in Massachusetts
Certificate of Title
Odometer Reading
Emissions Test
VIN Inspection
Bill of Sale
Your Signature
Signature of any Lienholder(s)
Signature of the Buyer
Step 1: Pre-sale Vehicle Inspection by a Third Party
Most private car buyers prefer to have licensed and qualified auto mechanics to help them with presale car inspections. Even though presale car inspection is not required in Massachusetts, having your car checked before proceeding with vehicle sale clears doubts and increases buyer confidence.
In most cases, buyers pay for a private car inspection. Therefore, you all need to agree on the venue and date when the inspection will be held. If your vehicle has issues after inspection, Massachusetts laws suggest that you keep the reports for your records.
Step 2: Prepare Your Vehicle for Sale
Prepare your car for sale by doing the following:
Remove all your personal belongings from the vehicle and trash from back seat pockets.
Wash your vehicle and vacuum clean door mats and car seats to remove dust and debris.
Fix damages if the car has electrical, physical, or mechanical damages, this is the right time to fix it. You can also do general car maintenance like changing oil, adjusting vehicle brakes, or topping off all fluids.
Take clear and comprehensive photos that you will show potential buyers or use for listing on different marketing platforms.
Step 3: List Your Car for Sale on Marketplace
Once you have cleaned your car, create a listing for your car on different platforms to reach potential buyers. Some websites and platforms you can use to list your car include:
When creating your listing, ensure you give detailed and comprehensive descriptions of your car to potential buyers. Include information like car model, make, color, and current condition. Additionally, you can also include if the vehicle has scratches or dents.
Step 4: Prepare Paperwork
You should gather vehicle documentation like:
Owner’s manual
Vehicle history reports
Maintenance records
Vehicle registration details and information
Providing your potential buyer with detailed vehicle documents boosts buyers’ confidence that the vehicle is properly maintained.
Like other states, Massachusetts also conducts vehicle emission inspections. According to Massachusetts motor laws, vehicle emission and safety reports can not be shared with third parties.
Furthermore, the law suggests that used vehicles must undergo safety and emission inspection within 7 days after the sale of the vehicle is finalized.
Step 5: Bill of Sale
A Bill of Sale is not required in Massachusetts but having it is important because it helps solve disputes that might arise when the buyer transfers title. It also indicates that the vehicle was legally transferred.
According to Massachusetts laws, a Bill of Sale should contain:
Date of sale
Purchase price
Car model, make, and year of manufacture
Legal names and signature of the buyer and seller
Addresses of the buyer and seller
Massachusetts laws recommended you and the seller should notarize the Bill of Sale.
Step 6: Get Paid
The safest way to get paid when selling a car privately in Massachusetts is to conduct the transaction in a public, well-lit area and preferably at a bank.
Using a cashier’s check for payment is recommended, as it offers more security than personal checks or cash.
It’s also wise to complete the necessary paperwork, including the bill of sale and vehicle title transfer, at the time of the transaction to ensure everything is legally documented.
Step 7: Transfer of Title
If your title is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can fill out and submit a replacement title form along with any fee associated with it. You will need to fill Assignment of title on the back of the title with information, including:
Date of vehicle purchase
Buyers name, signature, and address
Sellers name, signature, and address
Car year of manufacturer, make, and models.
Besides, you can check the status of your vehicle certificate or confirm the accuracy of your lienholder information by visiting RMV website.
When selling your car to a family member state laws require that you complete tax exemption form MVU-26. Additionally, when gifting your vehicle state law further recommends that you complete tax exemption form MVU-24.
Step 8: Signing the Title
To sell your vehicle, Massachusetts motor vehicle laws suggests that you must sign the title in the presence of a notary. Failure to sign the title will lead to the state declaring that the sale of your vehicle is invalid.
Step 9: Remove Your Vehicle Plate
You need to remove your vehicle plate after the sale of the vehicle is finalized. If you don’t remove the plates, you might be held accountable for crimes or violations committed by the buyer.
After removing the license plates, you can return them to RMV offices or transfer or cancel them online
Step 10: Cancel Your Insurance
Once the sale of the vehicle is complete, you need to cancel your vehicle insurance immediately to avoid paying insurance for a car that is not in your possession.
Sell Car to Car Buying Website in Massachusetts
Selling your car to car buying websites like Peddle, CarBrain and Wheelzy saves you time and money.
Companies will provide you with an instant quote and buy your car within 48 hours. Once you are provided with the quote, you have 7 days to accept or decline the offer. If you accept the offer, respective company agents will contact you to schedule a pick up of your sold car.
Overall, selling to them is hassle-free, with no paperwork or towing fees, and payment is usually on the same day of pick up.
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 Massachusetts?
The table below shows few of the cars Peddle has recently purchased in Massachusetts:
MakeYearOffer ValueCadillac (Escalade)2006$660Dodge (Charger)2010$495Buick (Lucern)2007$525
Recent Peddle offers
ModelYearMileageOfferToyota (Camry)2011150,000$2,225Volvo (S40)200137,000$430Mercedes-Benz (560)199192,000$1,930BMW (528)2008126,000$1,140Kia (Forte)2010145,000$635Honda (CR-V)201167,000$2,930Ford (Explorer Sport Trac)2004145,000$1,170Oldsmobile (Alero)2004162,000$400Audi (A6)2006106,000$530
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 Massachusetts?
Here are a few examples of Wheelzy’s recent purchases:
MakeMileageYearOffer ValueGMC (Yukon XL)Under 250,0002004$500Mercury (Grand Marquis)150,0002004$257Honda (Accord Sedan)200,0002004$300
Recent Wheelzy offers
ModelYearMileageConditionOfferHyundai (Tucson)2006200,000Doesn’t start$400Mercury (Sable Sedan)2003150,000Doesn’t start$225Mercedes-Benz (C)2001150,000Starts$222Ford (Edge)2010200,000Doesn’t start$1,200Ford (Flex)2009150,000Starts$1,000Lexus (RX)2002300,000Doesn’t start$750Chevrolet (Cobalt Sedan)2007200,000Doesn’t start$200Toyota (Corolla)2003250,000Drives$555BMW (528)2008250,000Drives$1,487
CarBrain
CarBrain Summary
Call for a free quote – (844) 407-2200Get 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 Massachusetts?
The table below shows a few of the cars CarBrain has recently purchased in Massachusetts.
MakeMileageYearConditionOffer ValueToyota (Land Cruiser)283,0002001Mechanical Damage: Other, Collision Damage: Passenger Side$1,745Jeep (Wrangler)201,0002003Collision Damage: Front, Rear$1,450Chevrolet (Corvette)105,3761998Mechanical Damage: Other$1,450
Recent CarBrain offers
ModelYearMileageConditionOfferMitsubishi Outlander Sport201150,000Collision damage, starts, doesn’t drive$1,270Jeep Grand201543,000Collision damage, starts, doesn’t drive$8,000Chevrolet201350,000Collision damage, does not start$1,335Dodge Charger2011143,448Collision damage, does not start$1,000Nissan Altima201382,000Collision damage, starts and drives$1,725Chevrolet Silverado2008250,000Engine damage, starts, doesn’t drive$1,750
Carvana
Carvana Summary
Get an online quote within 2 minutesFree pickup wtihin 100 miles of a hubOffer valid for 7 days or 250 more milesHaggle-free process to sell your car
Carvana is a a well-known company that has been buying used cars since 2012 and is a well-trusted car-buying service.
Requirements to sell the car to Carvana:
Cars 1992 or newer
Working odometer
In running condition
No excessive damage
To get an offer form, Carvana fill out an online form and provide your car’s license plate number or VIN.
The company will send you a cash offer which will be valid for 7 days or additional 250 miles. If you accept the offer, Carvana will pickup up the car from your specified location for free if it’s within 100 miles of one of their hubs.
Carvana will pay you by check at the time of the car’s pickup and inspection.
CarGurus
CarGurus Summary
Receive payment within 3 working daysFind out the market value of your carList your car for sale in under 5 minutesUp to $75,000 in protection for your sale
CarGurus platform has two ways you can use to sell a used car: list it on their website for $4.95 or get an instant cash offer within minutes and sell 100% online.
To get an offer, provide your car’s VIN or license plate number. You will get an instant cash offer, and after you accept, if CarGurus representative will arrive to pick up the car free of charge.
CarGurus offer will be valid for 7 days, and you will be paid at the time of the car’s pickup.
Sell Car to Dealership
Many car sellers prefer car dealerships because it offers them fairly competitive prices when selling their car. Additionally, most sellers also prefer dealers because they guide you on the best ways to price your vehicle to avoid overcharging or undercharging.
Before buying your car, most dealerships will inspect your car and then provide you with a quote depending on your vehicle’s current condition, make, model and mileage. You should note that prices quoted by different dealers might differ from the original car’s retail value.
If you accept the quote offered, the dealer expects you to drop the car and collect your payment.
How to Sell a Car to a Dealership in Massachusetts?
To sell a car to a dealership in Massachusetts, start by gathering all the necessary documentation, including the car’s title, maintenance records, and any applicable warranties.
Research different dealerships in your area to find the one that offers the best price for your vehicle.
Contact the dealership to schedule an appraisal, and be prepared to negotiate the price before completing the sale and transferring the title to the dealership.
Best Dealerships in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is home to many well-known car dealerships that offer a wide range of vehicle makes and models:
1. Expressway Toyota of Boston: Known for serving Boston drivers for many years, Expressway Toyota offers a wide selection of new and used Toyota vehicles, along with a top-notch service department and financing options.
2. North End Motors: Located in Canton, North End Motors specializes in top-quality pre-owned vehicles and is recognized for its competitive pricing and customer service.
3. McGovern Honda: Situated in Everett, McGovern Honda is well-known for customer satisfaction and offers a wide selection of new and used Honda vehicles.
4. Herb Chambers Honda: Based in Boston, Herb Chambers Honda is a trusted name in the automotive industry, offering an extensive selection of new and used Honda vehicles and exceptional customer service.
5. Mercedes-Benz of Boston: Mercedes-Benz of Boston dealership provides a diverse collection of new and pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles, known for their luxury and performance.
6. AutoFair Toyota of Tewksbury: Offering a range of new and used Toyota vehicles, AutoFair Toyota is noted for its competitive prices and customer-focused services.
7. Lexus of Northborough: Lexus of Northborough dealership is renowned for its luxurious selection of new and used Lexus vehicles and exceptional customer service ratings.
8. Audi Burlington: Audi Burlington is known for its extensive inventory of new and used Audi vehicles, this dealership offers competitive pricing and a customer-centric approach.
9. Quirk Chevrolet: Specializing in Chevrolet vehicles, Quirk Chevrolet offers a range of new and used models and is known for its customer service and competitive pricing.
People Also Asked
Which platforms can I use to generate vehicle reports in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, you can generate vehicle reports using several platforms. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) website is a primary resource, offering detailed vehicle history and registration reports.
CarFax and AutoCheck are popular third-party services that provide comprehensive vehicle history reports, including accident history, previous ownership, and service records.
For more specific needs, like insurance-related reports, platforms like LexisNexis or local insurance agencies can be useful.
Lastly, for instant information on vehicle specifications and recall information, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website can be an invaluable resource.
How do I check the value of my car in Massachusetts?
To check the value of your car in Massachusetts, you can start by visiting websites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds. These sites provide estimated market values for vehicles based on make, model, year, mileage, and condition.
You may also consider getting a professional appraisal from a local dealership or an independent vehicle appraiser for a more precise valuation.
Additionally, checking online marketplaces for similar vehicles for sale in Massachusetts can give you a realistic idea of your car’s current market value.
Does Massachusetts also include sales tax on vehicles?
Yes, Massachusetts does include sales tax on vehicle purchases. The state imposes a sales tax rate of 6.25% on the purchase price of any new or used vehicle.
This tax is payable at the time of vehicle registration and is collected by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
Apart from sales tax fee, which other cost will I be required to pay in Massachusetts?
In addition to the sales tax fee, there are several other costs associated with vehicle ownership in Massachusetts.
Title transfer fee $75
Add/Delete lienholder from title $25
Vehicle registration fee is $60
