Selling a Car in Arizona

When selling a car in Arizona, you must complete and submit a sold notice to the MVD, sign and notarize the back of the title, and give the title to the buyer.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Edited by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
When selling a car in
Arizona
, you’ll need to complete and submit a sold notice to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division, sign and notarize the back of the title, and give the title to the buyer. You’ll also need to remove your plates from the vehicle.
  • Selling a used car in Arizona requires a notarized vehicle title, bill of sale, sold notice, emissions inspection, and odometer disclosure.
  • Pre-sale inspections may be necessary, especially in Phoenix or Tucson, for vehicles model year 1967 or newer.
  • Both parties must sign the back of the title, and the seller must notify the Arizona MVD to finalize the sale.
  • Tools like Jerry can assist with car insurance during the selling or buying process.
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What you need to sell a car in Arizona

Selling a used car in the state of
Arizona
can be a hassle, but it's manageable with the right information. When preparing for a car sale, the
Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD)
mandates particular documentation to successfully transfer ownership. These requirements include:
  • Vehicle title: The car title, also known as the vehicle title, should be signed on the back of the title and notarized.
  • Signatures: Both the seller's and buyer's signatures are needed.
  • Sold notice: This notice can be completed online through
    AZ MVD Now
    , notifying the Arizona MVD of the sale.
  • Bill of sale: Arizona Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale (ADOT Form 48-2004) is required to document the sale.
  • Emissions inspection: Especially in Phoenix and Tucson, an emissions test may be required.
  • Odometer disclosure: Necessary if the vehicle is a model year 2011 or later.
  • Lien release: If applicable, this document proves the car’s loan has been fully paid off.
  • Driver's license: You’ll need to provide identification for all the parties involved in the sale.

Getting a pre-sale inspection

If you commute with your vehicle to or from work in the Phoenix or Tucson areas, your vehicle might require a
smog test
. Cars that are model year 1967 or newer may need an emissions inspection. However, most vehicles produced in the last six years are exempt from this requirement.

Documenting the sale

Once you find a buyer, possibly through private party sales or sites like AutoTrader, you’ll need to create a bill of sale to document the transaction. In Arizona, a notary public (or MVD agent) must be present when the seller signs the bill of sale. It serves as a basic sales agreement and receipt and will also be utilized for registration credit.

Signing the title over

Both the buyer and seller must sign the back of the title and have it notarized. If a duplicate title is needed, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) can provide one.
Once the transfer of ownership is complete, be sure to remove your license plates.

Reporting the sale

After the sale, notify Arizona's MVD with a
completed sold notice
. This step protects the seller from liability, in case the vehicle is used in criminal activity or other issues. It helps to provide a vehicle history report to the new owner to ease the transition.

Finding affordable car insurance

If you're thinking, "I need to sell my car, but what about
car insurance
for my next vehicle?",
Jerry
can help. Jerry can compare more than 55 insurers using your previous insurance data.
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FAQs

The Arizona MVD doesn’t legally require a bill of sale for private car sales, but it’s still a good idea to create one so that you have a legal record of the transfer. 
To
transfer a car title in Arizona
, both parties will need to sign the title and fill out some documents at MVD. 
Yes—all title transfers in Arizona must be notarized. 
The main phone number for Arizona MVD is (602) 255-0072. 
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