If you’re selling a car in Montana, you’ll need the Certificate of Title and you’ll have to resolve all liens on the title. You will also need to keep a written record of the sale and remove the license plates.

When you enter into the sale of a vehicle with another private party, there will be a few legal responsibilities on your part. Each state has its own requirements and rules to ensure legal transfer of ownership, and failing to properly complete them could mean you’ll still be liable for the car even after you’ve given it to the buyer.

Selling a car in Montana can be confusing, so the

car insurance

comparison and broker app

Jerry

has compiled a guideline for what you need to know about selling a car in Montana.

What you need to sell a car in Montana

To sell your car privately in Montana, you’ll need to gather all the necessary forms and information. The DMV requires certain documentation to complete the change of ownership, including:

Properly assigned Certificate of Title

Lien Release, if applicable

Odometer disclosure and date of sale

Notarized Bill of Sale

You will also need to remove your license plate (valid or expired) before the buyer takes possession of the vehicle or you could be liable for any citations, traffic tickets, and other traffic violations after the sale.

Getting a pre-sale inspection

There are no laws that require inspections on the vehicle being sold. However, the buyer can pay for a pre-purchase vehicle inspection performed by their choice of a third-party auto mechanic. Where and when the inspection is done should be agreed upon by the buyer and seller.

You should keep a copy of the report for your records as well, especially if the inspection finds any issues with the vehicle.

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Documenting the sale

For private vehicle purchases, Montana requires a bill of sale (MV24 form) to be filled out by the seller and the buyer. The following information should be included and notarized:

Year and make of the vehicle

Title number

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Date of sale

Sale price

Odometer statement

Printed legal name and address of the seller and buyer

Signature of the seller and buyer

You can download the Bill of Sale form from the

Montana Department of Justice Motor Vehicle Division

Signing the title over

All sellers and buyers are required to fill out the relevant sections on the back of the title, within the assignment area (the signatures don’t need to be notarized). The odometer reading and date of sale must also be included.

Once the form is filled out, go to the County Treasurer’s office with the buyer to sign off the title so that the buyer can transfer the registration and get a new license plate.

Be sure to write the information on the title clearly. as correction fluid or erase marks on the title may void the document.

Reporting the sale

You do not need to report the sale of your vehicle. However, to protect yourself, it is advised to have the

seller’s checklist and buyer’s acknowledgment form

filled out.

Make sure you also keep a written record of the sale with the information in the list above for your records. It can be a photocopy of the reassigned title or even the filled-out MV24 form.