To sell a car in Maine, you’ll need to gather the required documentation, have the vehicle inspected, complete a bill of sale, transfer the title, remove the plates, and cancel your insurance.

Privately selling a car can often feel like an impossible task. However, the process is actually simple when you know what you need. Every state has its own set of rules and regulations to ensure vehicle transfer is as smooth as possible, and it’s your responsibility to remain up-to-date on what those requirements may be.

Luckily, the

car insurance

comparison and broker app

Jerry

has compiled a list of everything you need to know about selling a car in Maine.

What you need to sell a car in Maine

The first step to privately selling a car in Maine is to gather all of the necessary documentation. The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires the following paperwork when changing ownership:

Certificate of title (if lost or damaged, you can request a duplicate by filing form

MVT-8

for a fee of $33)

Your signature

Signature of any lienholder(s)

Signature of the buyer

Maine bill of sale

Odometer disclosure (for vehicles 10 years old or less)

Rebuilt from salvage disclosure (if needed)

Getting a pre-sale inspection

Maine law requires all vehicles to undergo a safety inspection once a year. Additionally, any vehicle registered in Cumberland County is required to undergo an emissions test.

However, pre-sale vehicle inspections are not required by the state. Typically, the buyer will pay to have the vehicle inspected by a licensed professional before purchase. If any issues arise, sellers should keep a record of the report.

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Documenting the sale

After finding a buyer, you’ll need to complete a Maine bill of sale. This will include a basic vehicle description and information about the buyer and seller, including:

Vehicle identification number (VIN)

Make, model, and year

Amount of sale

Seller name, address, and signature

Buyer name, address, and signature

You can download the Maine bill of sale

here

Signing the title over

To complete the sale of your vehicle in Maine, you need to sign the title. If you neglect to sign the title before selling, the state will declare the purchase invalid. Both the buyer and seller need to fill out specific sections on the back of the title and include the following information:

Legal name

Address

Signature

Date of sale

Odometer reading

In the event there is more than one owner and the names are joined by “and,” both people must sign the title. If the names are joined by “or” or “and/or,” only one person has to sign.

Removing the plates

Before you transfer the vehicle over to its new owner, you must remove the license plates. If you fail to do so, you could be held liable for what happens to the vehicle after it’s left your possession. You can fill out form

MVR-60

to submit a plate cancellation request.

The fee to transfer the plates to another car you own is $8.

Canceling your insurance

The final step to selling a car in Maine is to cancel your

car insurance

. This will ensure that you are no longer paying to insure a vehicle you no longer own.

If you’re looking for a new insurance company for your new car,

Jerry

can provide you with competitive quotes in under a minute. Swapping is just as effortless. Jerry takes care of all the paperwork and phone calls and will even help you cancel your old policy!

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