Q&A for How to Sell Your Car in Oregon

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Where does the seller turn the title in?

Donagan

Top Answerer

If it's a private sale, and no third party holds a lien against the car, the seller signs the back of the title and gives it to the buyer.

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Question

How to I know if the title is clean title?

Community Answer

"Clean title" means that the person selling you the car actually owns it and has the right to sell it. In Oregon, the Certificate of Title provides this assurance. Everyone listed as an "owner" on the front of the Certificate of Title must sign the back of the Title as a seller. If you do not have all owners present as part of the sale, then you may be concerned and should not proceed with the purchase.

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Can the seller leave the license plates on the car when selling? If so, how is the DMV notified?

PVTs

Community Answer

People usually sell with the license plates still attached; however, the seller may elect to remove them at the time of sale. The seller reports the sale, but it remains in the existing owner's name the buyer registers it with the DMV. The seller could still hear about it in the mail if the vehicle is involved in toll skipping, parking violations and other matters.

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Who gives the title to the DMV after the sale? You have two contradictory answers.

Community Answer

The new owner. The DMV requires that they submit this showing they have possession of the title.

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What if I can show that the bank has said that the title is mine, as I've paid off the auto financing and they've sent me a new title? Will a buyer accept this as proof?

Donagan

Top Answerer

If the title has your name on it, the buyer would have no reason not to accept it. The mere fact that you possess the title shows that you've paid off the loan.

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Question

What is a date of release?

Community Answer

This is the same as the date of sale. It's just a matter of perspective. The buyer has a "date of purchase," and the seller has a "date of release." (You are releasing ownership of the vehicle.)

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What if seller agreed on DMV application to keep insurance on vehicle until transfer was completed and never responded to DMV's requests for additional information, and illegally repossessed the vehicle?

Community Answer

This sounds like a job for either the police or for an attorney. A seller may not "illegally" repossess a vehicle. If he or she does something that you believe is illegal, then you need to take legal action to get the car back.

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Question

Do I need to give my copy of the title to the buyer in Oregon?

Community Answer

The seller signs the back of title and fill in the buyer's information indicating that seller is transferring interest in the vehicle to the buyer. This is a piece of document the buyer needs when they apply for the title in the vehicle in their own name. So the seller hands the title to the buyer, unless the seller wants to wait in line with the buyer and accompany buyer all the way to the DMV counter.

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Question

Do I need to sign the front of the title?

Community Answer

No. As part of selling the vehicle, you sign the back of the title, not the front.

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What happens if you don't fill out the seller notice?

Community Answer

If you fail to complete the Notice of Sale and submit it, along with the certificate of title, to the Department of Transportation, then the state does not have a record of the sale. If, for example, the car is witnessed doing something illegal, you could be questioned or even held responsible.

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Question

I'm transferring the title of a paid-off car to my husband. Does it cost any money to do that?

Community Answer

If the title is legally transferred in name, then yes, it costs money. Technically you both own what the other has as long as you're still married. The title transfer is merely a formality, so if the marriage is sound, it's unnecessary.

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What do I need to legally drive a vehicle bought in Oregon to Washington on the roads? Will the bill of sale be enough?

Community Answer

Local police are fairly informed on DMV standards, so if you're a resident of Oregon, the 30-day window applies. If you bought in Oregon as a resident of Washington, then Washington DMV law applies, which is probably similar. Generally they will just ask if you applied for transfer of title and tell you it's about to expire should you get pulled over for something unrelated. If you say you applied and they pull you over later on a lie, you will get a nasty fine and lose the car. Then it becomes a pain, as you will need to provide proof of sale or reconnect to seller to get car out of impound. Just be sure to transfer title as soon as possible and have valid registration.

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Who pays for smog tests when selling a vehicle in Oregon?

Community Answer

The person who has to re-register the title, which would be the buyer.

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