PrivateAuto streamlines the private-party vehicle buying experience and makes it safe and enjoyable. Keep reading to see how to buy your dream car in Virginia, and how we make what could be a daunting task simple and safe.
Should I Buy from a Dealer or a Private Seller?
Conventionally, dealerships offer more convenience, while private sellers offer better value.
Here at PrivateAuto, we’re big fans of the private seller route. Here are the advantages:
1. Get a better price by cutting out the middleman and going straight to the source. Dealers must buy low and sell high to make a profit and keep the lights on.
2. Avoid fees. Car dealers charge documentation fees that range from $50 to over $1,000.
3. You drive the deal on your terms. PrivateAuto allows you to make offers and negotiate the best deal directly with the seller.
4. In some states, buying from a private seller means no vehicle sales tax. For example, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii charge sales taxes on dealership vehicle purchases, but not private-party ones.
We believe in making private-party transactions as fast and easy as buying a used car from a dealership. That’s what we’re all about.
Here at PrivateAuto, we’re big fans of the private seller route. Here are the advantages:
1. Get a better price by cutting out the middleman and going straight to the source. Dealers must buy low and sell high to make a profit and keep the lights on.
2. Avoid fees. Car dealers charge documentation fees that range from $50 to over $1,000.
3. You drive the deal on your terms. PrivateAuto allows you to make offers and negotiate the best deal directly with the seller.
4. In some states, buying from a private seller means no vehicle sales tax. For example, Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii charge sales taxes on dealership vehicle purchases, but not private-party ones.
We believe in making private-party transactions as fast and easy as buying a used car from a dealership. That’s what we’re all about.
Find a car
Find the Right Car for Your Budget
Most likely, you’ll be shopping for private-party used cars online, which means you’ll be using one of the many websites dedicated to this purpose. After defining your vehicle needs and budget, it’s time to start your search.
Start Searching
When it comes to finding a car online, here are your options for finding the perfect private-party used car for you:
a. Local classifieds such as KSL Cars.
b. National classifieds such as Craigslist and OfferUp.
While these places can be great resources to find what you’re looking for, they fall short when it comes time for the transaction. That’s why we refer to them as “meetingplaces” instead of true marketplaces.
PrivateAuto is a transactional marketplace that offers self-serve technology solutions for every part of the deal. If you’d like to see how stress-free and simple buying privately can be, shop our used cars for sale to kick-start the process.
We don’t hate other listing sites. Some have a lot more private-party car inventory than we do. But we still want you to have the transactional security and convenience that our users enjoy.
That’s why a fast-track solution was created, called DealNow. It allows you to create a personal deal room, invite the private owner of the car you want to buy, and get the deal done quickly.
Get your deal started now!
- Auction websites such as Bring a Trailer and eBay Motors.
- Online classifieds
b. National classifieds such as Craigslist and OfferUp.
- Social media listings.
- Vehicle listing sites such as Autotrader.
While these places can be great resources to find what you’re looking for, they fall short when it comes time for the transaction. That’s why we refer to them as “meetingplaces” instead of true marketplaces.
PrivateAuto is a transactional marketplace that offers self-serve technology solutions for every part of the deal. If you’d like to see how stress-free and simple buying privately can be, shop our used cars for sale to kick-start the process.
We don’t hate other listing sites. Some have a lot more private-party car inventory than we do. But we still want you to have the transactional security and convenience that our users enjoy.
That’s why a fast-track solution was created, called DealNow. It allows you to create a personal deal room, invite the private owner of the car you want to buy, and get the deal done quickly.
Get your deal started now!
Agree on a price
Negotiate Price
You want to get the very best car for your budget. PrivateAuto allows you to make offers on cars you like. You never know if the vehicle’s owner will accept less than their asking price until you try.
On other sites, you’d have to message the seller and have an awkward conversation. PrivateAuto lets you make an offer with the click of a button. The seller can then accept, reject, or counteroffer.
On other sites, you’d have to message the seller and have an awkward conversation. PrivateAuto lets you make an offer with the click of a button. The seller can then accept, reject, or counteroffer.
Research the Car
A savvy buyer will try to find out as much as they can about the car they’re getting. The two best ways to learn about a vehicle’s background are a vehicle history report and research on the car’s title.
Get a Vehicle History Report
A vehicle history report is a smart idea when buying a used car. It covers ownership history and maintenance records and shows you how well the seller cared for their car.
We provide a vehicle history report for all premium listings.
Here are some reasons a vehicle history report gives you peace of mind.
1. You know how well the car has been cared for.
2. You have visibility into any accidents or insurance claims.
3. You can see service records, major repairs, and other work.
A vehicle history report can help you steer clear of buying a faulty used car and help steer you away from car-buying scams.
We provide a vehicle history report for all premium listings.
Here are some reasons a vehicle history report gives you peace of mind.
1. You know how well the car has been cared for.
2. You have visibility into any accidents or insurance claims.
3. You can see service records, major repairs, and other work.
A vehicle history report can help you steer clear of buying a faulty used car and help steer you away from car-buying scams.
Research the Title
Before meeting up for the test drive, it’s smart to do preliminary research on the car title.
You can use the National Insurance Crime Bureau website to research the title to protect yourself from vehicle fraud.
Rarely, sellers will attempt to mislead or outright deceive—they may try to pass off a salvage title as clean.
Title research will help you check for:
1. Reports of the car having been stolen.
2. An outstanding lien.
3. The car has been declared a total loss in an insurance claim.
Ask the seller for their full name and the vehicle identification number (VIN) in advance of meeting up. Run the title check, and you’ll have one less worry on your mind.
You can use the National Insurance Crime Bureau website to research the title to protect yourself from vehicle fraud.
Rarely, sellers will attempt to mislead or outright deceive—they may try to pass off a salvage title as clean.
Title research will help you check for:
1. Reports of the car having been stolen.
2. An outstanding lien.
3. The car has been declared a total loss in an insurance claim.
Ask the seller for their full name and the vehicle identification number (VIN) in advance of meeting up. Run the title check, and you’ll have one less worry on your mind.
Take the car for a test drive
Take the Car For a Spin
We let you arrange the test drive in a safe, easy, and convenient manner that never reveals your personal information to the seller.
1. Our handy in-app scheduler allows you to pick from the time slots the seller has chosen. No back-and-forth conversations. You’ll also see the seller’s preferred meetup location.
2. You can opt to transact with verified sellers only, which tends to weed out bad actors who prefer to operate in the shadows.
You’ll schedule the test drive in seconds without ever needing to contact the seller. It’s just one of the many ways we streamline private car purchases.
1. Our handy in-app scheduler allows you to pick from the time slots the seller has chosen. No back-and-forth conversations. You’ll also see the seller’s preferred meetup location.
2. You can opt to transact with verified sellers only, which tends to weed out bad actors who prefer to operate in the shadows.
You’ll schedule the test drive in seconds without ever needing to contact the seller. It’s just one of the many ways we streamline private car purchases.
Handle paperwork
Complete Virginia Paperwork
Paperwork is a critical part of the transaction process. Here is the paperwork involved in a Virginia used car transaction:
1. Car title
2. Emissions testing
3. Safety inspection
4. Bill of sale
1. Car title
2. Emissions testing
3. Safety inspection
4. Bill of sale
Virginia Certificate of Title
You and the seller need to fill out the official Virginia Certificate of Title. A Virginia title will require you and the seller to complete the following information at the time of the sale the following info:
- Odometer disclosure
- Seller’s hand-printed name, signature, and address (if there is more than one seller listed on the title, both sellers will need to sign)
- Date of sale
- Purchase price
- Your hand-printed name and signature
Virginia Emissions testing
Some counties and cities in Virginia require that all gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles pass an emissions test.
The following counties and cities require emission testing:
Counties:
Cities:
If you live in one of these counties or cities and want to register your car, you will need to find an emissions inspection station and take the test.
The following counties and cities require emission testing:
Counties:
- Alexandria county
- Fairfax county
- Loudoun county
- Prince William county
Cities:
- Alexandria
- Fairfax
- Falls Church
- Manassas
- Manassas Park
If you live in one of these counties or cities and want to register your car, you will need to find an emissions inspection station and take the test.
Virginia Safety Inspection
In Virginia, all vehicles must pass a safety inspection to get registered. You can get your safety inspection done at most repair shops, and it should cost around $20.
Virginia Bill of Sale
While Virginia doesn’t require a bill of sale, we recommend you always complete one with the seller. A bill of sale protects you by memorializing the terms of the sale, the VIN, the selling price, mileage, and the names and signatures of both parties. If the seller ever wants to contest the transaction or any part of it, you have their signature on a legal document with all of the terms and details to back you up.
PrivateAuto makes it easy with an official Virginia bill of sale right in our app. You and the seller review the details, and then digitally sign the bill of sale after inspecting the car. No printing or scanning—simply sign electronically in the PrivateAuto app. It’s stored in your PrivateAuto account as a reference, should you ever need it.
PrivateAuto makes it easy with an official Virginia bill of sale right in our app. You and the seller review the details, and then digitally sign the bill of sale after inspecting the car. No printing or scanning—simply sign electronically in the PrivateAuto app. It’s stored in your PrivateAuto account as a reference, should you ever need it.
Pay the seller
Make the Payment
Before PrivateAuto Pay, there weren’t any great ways to send money to the seller. Cash is inconvenient and risky, PayPal has fees, Venmo and Zelle have low transfer limits, and checks and wire transfers are slow and cumbersome.
We got tired of the limitations associated with existing payment methods, so we created PrivateAuto Pay. Here’s how it works:
You’ll never want to buy a car any other way. Even if you’re buying a car on a different platform, you can just invite the seller to DealNow and enjoy all the same benefits.
We got tired of the limitations associated with existing payment methods, so we created PrivateAuto Pay. Here’s how it works:
- No transfer fees.
- Instantaneous transfers. Close the deal when you meet for the test drive.
- Works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No coordinating around banker’s hours.
- No exchange of contact or banking info.
- Act as your own escrow service with our secure deal flow.
You’ll never want to buy a car any other way. Even if you’re buying a car on a different platform, you can just invite the seller to DealNow and enjoy all the same benefits.
Transfer ownership
Register the car
Get new license plates
Virginia Title Transfer and Registration
After the title is signed over to you, you’ll go to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office to complete the title transfer process. At the same time, you’ll register the vehicle in your name, get new license plates, and pay your Virginia sales tax owed.
Here’s what you’ll need to provide when you transfer your car’s title at the DMV office:
Read our complete guide to a Virginia title transfer for more info on the subject.
Here’s what you’ll need to provide when you transfer your car’s title at the DMV office:
- The Certificate of Title, signed over to you by the previous vehicle owner
- A completed CERTIFICATE OF TITLE AND REGISTRATION form
- Lien information (if applicable)
- Payment for the Virginia vehicle sales tax: 4.15% of the vehicle price
- Payment for Virginia’s vehicle title transfer fee: $15
- Payment for Virginia registration fee: from $30.75 to $116.49
- Payment for Virginia license plate fees: from $40.75 to $45.75
- Valid safety inspection sticker
- Valid ID or driver’s license
- Proof of insurance
Read our complete guide to a Virginia title transfer for more info on the subject.
Virginia Vehicle FAQ
How much is the Virginia car tax?
Virginia’s car sales tax rate is 4.15% of the vehicle’s sales price. 4.15% is the maximum you’ll pay in sales tax in Virginia, unlike other states where local governments can tack on additional vehicle taxes over and above the state’s tax rate.
How much is a standard license plate in Virginia?
A set of standard Virginia license plates costs:
1. $40.75 for cars 4,000 lbs and under
2. $45.75 for cars 4,001 lbs and over
What are the minimum insurance requirements in Virginia?
Driving a car in Virginia without at least liability insurance is illegal:
– Bodily injury: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
– Property damage: $20,000 per accident.
– Uninsured motorist bodily injury: $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident.
How much does it cost to register a car in Virginia from out-of-state?
The cost of registering a car in Virginia from another state is determined by several factors, including the vehicle’s age, weight, and value.
Here are some fees that may apply:
1. Title fee
2. Registration fee
3. Virginia motor vehicle sales tax
4. Additional fees such as an emissions testing fee, vehicle safety inspection sticker fee, and any fees for specialized license plates.
If you’re planning on buying a car long distance from a private seller, give our guide a read.
Is the Virginia car tax annual?
You pay Virginia sales tax once when transferring a vehicle title to your name. However, your vehicle is subject to annual personal property tax and a local registration fee.
Virginia vehicle personal property taxes average 0.75% of the car’s value.
Helpful Resources
What are the most common escrow scams?
What is the best place to buy a car online?
What fees are there when buying a used car?
How to pay for a car in cash on a weekend?
Questions to ask when buying a car
How long does it take to get plates in the mail?
What are the cheapest ways of buying a car?
Caleb Whittle
Contributing Author
Caleb Whittle is the Chief Marketing Officer at PrivateAuto. He’s based in Utah and has had a passion for education and learning throughout his life. Helping others understand the nuances of buying & selling cars has become his mission through content creation and writing. His current dream car is a Tesla Model S Plaid.