Selling a car in NC - just collect cash and sign over title?

drypowder

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What steps do I need to take when selling a car in NC? After buyer and I agree on a price, and he hands over the bennies, I just sign the title over, remove my license plate, give him the keys and that's it?

Can I mail the plates back to DMV or do those have to be handed in in person?

Would you let a buyer take the car to his mechanic? Or would you have to accompany him? I don't mind letting prospective buyers have the car checked out by their mechanic (car has been well maintained), but I'm kind of pressed for time, so not really keen on accompanying multiple buyers to their mechanics for inspections.
 
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Never done the mechanic thing before but I've bought and sold several vehicles privately the last several years.

You can do the title transfer at the DMV. Notarized on site, buyer can register and get plates. Seller can surrender plate all at one stop.

Or you sign it over in front of a notary. Keep your plate and turn it in. Not sure on mailing. I always drop off in person and get a receipt. Don't take the car off your insurance until you have turned in the plate. That alone argues for in person.....
 
Why not terminate the insurance once title is signed over and license plate is off the car and in my possession?

Point being NC will come after you if you still have the plate or call it in lost or stolen and no insurance. No news on the plate the state thinks you are still driving it.

Ask me how I know.

Turn tag in and you can still leave it on insurance
 
Why not terminate the insurance once title is signed over and license plate is off the car and in my possession?

The state sells you the plate. It becomes your property. Sell your car to someone else. The state demands your property be surrendered to them free of charge before canceling insurance. If you dont, you get hit with fines and sometimes in extreme difficulty/hardheadedness, get blocked for license issuance at other states dmvs till fines are paid
 
Dropping the insurance before turning in the tag will get you a $50 fine. Happened to my MIL. Sold the car, she let the guy drive it home with her tag, since she knew him. She dropped the insurance since he had his insurance. Got the tag back a couple days later and then went to DMV. $50 fine. I told her I would left with the tag and not paid the fine, but she did.
 
Why not terminate the insurance once title is signed over and license plate is off the car and in my possession?


Because until that plate is turned in the car is still registered to you. Insurance termed before registration can lead to a nastygram and fine from the state.
 
LOL. everyone else beat me to it.


Yeah what they said.
 
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In NC only the seller’s signature requires a notary. I normally run to my bank and have my signature notarized for free. The buyer can sign in his name when he wants. I wouldn’t leave the title open for days, only after I have a buyer.

Plate can be sent in or dropped off. Don’t forget that you can get a refund for the pre-paid property tax on the vehicle if you contact the tax office. The DMV can give you the forms for this normally.
 
Because until that plate is turned in the car is still registered to you. Insurance termed before registration can lead to a nastygram and fine from the state.
If their tracking system is so good, it makes you wonder how there are so many uninsured drivers roaming around.
 
If their tracking system is so good, it makes you wonder how there are so many uninsured drivers roaming around.
It is actually worse. If one does not have insurance, one's license is suspended and the registration is suspended. So that person is driving an "unregistered, uninsured car without a valid license."
 
It is actually worse. If one does not have insurance, one's license is suspended and the registration is suspended. So that person is driving an "unregistered, uninsured car without a valid license."

And you can rest assured that they quit driving until everything is restored to normal.....Right??
 
Go to the DMV with the buyer, they will notarize your signature on the title, do the title work for they buyer and you can turn in your tag, and they buyer can buy his tag. Took less than 10 minutes for the last car I purchased.
 
Go to the DMV with the buyer, they will notarize your signature on the title, do the title work for they buyer and you can turn in your tag, and they buyer can buy his tag. Took less than 10 minutes for the last car I purchased.
Yeah, going to the DMV sounds like the way to go for one-stop convenience, assuming the sale occurs on a weekday during business hours.
 
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Why not terminate the insurance once title is signed over and license plate is off the car and in my possession?
Because, come to find out technically as per NC rules? The insurance is for the license plate that belongs to that vehicle and not the vehicle itself, in their eyes.I did that once shortly ago,, I sold the car, had a private notary. Got my money, next day called my ins company and canceled the policy.. A week later I went to the DMV and turned the tag in.. Week later, the wonderful State of NC sent me a $250 fine telling me that I dropped my insurance for a car that I still owned.There was no getting around it, I had to pay the money..Hint,, don't drop the ins until you turn the tag in...Then give it a week or so, just to be safe..
 
Seems like no one has addressed the question about the inspection from a mechanic before the car is sold?
I think its a matter of how much the car is worth and whats its worth in your time to get it sold. Im a mechanic and have been for just about 40 years and Ive done countless " Used car" inspections for perspective owners. Each and everytime, I gave them the ammo to negotiate a lower price. Unless it was low mileage vehicle and even in some low mileage vehicles I found damage due to flooding or prior accidents that were not on Carfax. The inspection will also determine or reveal the skill level of the tech doing the inspection. My advise is,, unless your really confident about your vehicle, its in perfect condition and had all your services done by the book. You want top dollar and no ones wants your car except for this fish? I would decline and let the buyer beware..
 
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