How to Sell a Car in Washington

Are you interested in selling a car in the Seattle area? The selling process is relatively straightforward, as long as you have the right paperwork and have a general idea of the process. Luckily, our finance center has put together a guide below on how to sell a car in Washington. Check it out now!

Selling Car in Washington: The Process

1. Remove your license plates. If you purchase another car within 30 days, put the plates on your new vehicle. If not, return the plates to your county treasurer. Be aware that if you keep your plates on the vehicle, you’ll be liable for any fees or charges incurred by the new owner.
2. Have your vehicle inspected by a third party to do a final maintenance check before you sell the vehicle. You and the buyer can coordinate on when and where the inspection should take place.
3. Fill out and sign all the necessary paperwork, including a Bill of Sale, the car’s title, and Report of Sale. If you’re selling your car to a dealership, they can tell you what exactly you’ll need to fill out.
4. To fill out the Report of Sale, gather information about your vehicle like the license number, date of sale, sale price, name of the buyer, and vehicle identification number. 
5. File the report within five days of the sale. 
6. Update your online tolling account, so you don’t accidentally get charged for the new owner’s tolls. Be sure to cancel any other insurance or subscriptions associated with the vehicle.

Selling Car in Washington: Necessary Paperwork

Depending on the circumstances of your car’s sale in the Bellevue area, there are a few different forms you’ll need to obtain, fill out, and file. We’ve listed some of the most common documents below, so you can have an idea of what you’ll have to take care of over the course of the selling process:

• Application for Certification of Title and/or Registration
• Claim for Refund
• Bill of Sale
• Odometer Disclosure Statement
• Plate Cancellation Form
• Report of Sale and Delivery of Title
• Damage Disclosure Statement

Selling Car in Washington: The Dealership Advantage

It’s up to you whether you want to sell to a dealership or a private buyer, but there are a few advantages to selling your car via a dealership. For example, dealerships like BMW Seattle can provide you with the necessary paperwork and help you through the process, and we have proven reputations of negotiating and expediting car sales. Whether you want a different car from us or not, we want to buy your car. You may even be able to trade your current car in for a vehicle from our inventory!

Sell Your Car to BMW Seattle!

If you have any questions about selling your car in Washington state, feel free to contact our office! We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, or provide you with more information about the sales process. You can also stop by our dealership near Lynnwood to talk to a finance expert in person.