Should I Buy from a Dealer or a Private Seller?
At PrivateAuto, we strongly advocate for the private seller option due to several 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.
While it’s true that dealerships traditionally offer more convenience, we’re all about making the private-party car buying experience frictionless and safe. Our transactional marketplace gives you all the tools to drive the deal on your terms, including instant payments of up to $1 million with no fees.
Find a car
Find a Car that Fits Your Budget
Search for Cars Online
- Auction websites such as eBay Motors and Bring a Trailer.
- Social media listings (e.g., cars for sale on Facebook Marketplace).
- Vehicle listing sites such as Autotrader.
- Online classifieds
- Local classifieds like KSL Cars.
- National classifieds such as OfferUp.
These websites can be great resources for finding your dream car, but they fall short when it comes to facilitating the transaction. That’s why we call them “meetingplaces” instead of marketplaces.
PrivateAuto is the only transactional marketplace that offers self-serve technology solutions for every part of the private party used car purchasing process. If you’d like to see how easy it can be, shop our used vehicles for sale by owner and start the car buying journey.
While we are the best car-buying app, we don’t hate other listing sites. Many of them have more inventory than we do (we’re still getting traction). But we want you to enjoy security and convenience no matter where you shop. That’s why DealNow was created, a fast-track deal flow that allows you to start a deal on another platform and finish it with our transactional infrastructure that provides unparalleled security and convenience.
Get your deal started now!
Agree on a price
Negotiate Price
While other websites require you to message the seller and have an awkward exchange, PrivateAuto lets you make an offer with the click of a button. The seller can then accept, reject, or submit a counteroffer.
Research the Car
1. Research the car’s title
2. Get a vehicle history report
Research the Car Title
You can use the National Insurance Crime Bureau website to research the title to protect yourself from car-buying fraud.
In some cases, a seller 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) prior to meeting up. Run the title check, and avoid falling prey to one of those car-buying scams.
Get a Vehicle History Report
PrivateAuto provides a vehicle history report for all premium listings.
Here are some reasons a vehicle history report gives you peace of mind.
1. You have visibility into any accidents or insurance claims.
2. You know how well the car has been cared for.
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.
Take the car for a test drive
Schedule a Test Drive
1. Our 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 choose to transact with verified sellers only, which tends to help weed out those who prefer to operate in the shadows.
You’ll be able to schedule the test drive in a matter of minutes without ever needing to contact the seller. It’s just one of the many ways we streamline private car sales.
Handle paperwork
Complete Alabama Paperwork
1. Title
2. Bill of sale
3. Odometer disclosure
4. Emissions testing
Alabama Certificate of Title
- Odometer disclosure
- Date of sale
- Vehicle purchase price
- 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)
- Your hand-printed name and signature
Odometer Disclosure
Our in-app workflow includes an odometer disclosure entry, where you and the seller confirm mileage before proceeding to the next step.
Alabama Bill of Sale
PrivateAuto makes it easy by providing an official Alabama bill of sale. 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 mobile app. It’s stored in your PrivateAuto account as a reference, should you ever need it.
Pay the seller
Pay the Seller
We got tired of the limitations associated with existing payment methods, so we created a solution. We call it PrivateAuto Pay. Our users call it magic. Here’s how it works:
1. No transfer fees.
2. Instantaneous transfers. Close the deal when you meet for the test drive.
3. No exchange of contact or banking info.
4. Advanced encryption protects your data from hackers.
5. Works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No coordinating around banker’s hours.
6. Skip inconvenient and costly third-party escrow services when you take advantage of our escrow-like safeguards.
You’ll never want to buy a car any other way. Oh, and if you’re buying a car on a different website, invite the seller to DealNow and get the transaction done quickly, safely, and securely.
Transfer ownership
Register the car
Get new license plates
Alabama Title Transfer and Registration
Here’s what you’ll need to provide when you transfer your car’s title at the County License Plate Issuing Officials office:
- The Certificate of Title, signed over to you by the previous vehicle owner
- A completed title transfer application form
- Valid ID, driver’s license, or other proof of identity
- Lien information (if there is a lien holder on the title)
- Payment for Alabama’s vehicle title transfer fee: $15
- Payment for Alabama registration fee: from $23 to $105
- Payment for Alabama license plate fee: $23
- Payment for the Alabama vehicle sales tax: 2% of the vehicle price
- Proof of insurance
Read our complete guide to an Alabama title transfer for more info on the subject.
Alabama FAQ
Do you pay taxes on cars in Alabama?
Depending on where you live in Alabama, you could end up paying between 0.50% and 6.75% local sales tax on top of the state’s 2%.
See a complete list of all Alabama city and county sales tax rates on this official resource.
How much does it cost to renew registration in Alabama?
When renewing vehicle registration in Alabama, you’ll need to pay the standard renewal fees. Here is what to expect:
– The standard renewal registration fee varies from $20 to $105.
– No additional fees apply to standard passenger vehicle renewals.
– Optional new windshield sticker: $2
– Renewals must be completed within 60 days of expiration (registration expires on the vehicle owner’s birthday)
– A $15 late fee applies if renewal is not completed within the 60 day period.
How much is the car property tax in Alabama?
In Alabama, the ad valorem tax is a yearly property tax. It is applicable to certain types of property, such as utilities and general personal property.
The county assessor determines the value of the property to calculate the tax. The assessed value is then taxed at the state and county levels. The state rate is 0.65% of the assessed value of the property. County rates vary.
The ad valorem tax depends on:
– What type of property it is
– The assessed value of that property
– What the state and county tax rates are
How much does a tag cost in Alabama?
In Alabama, license plate fees depend on the type of plate you choose. The standard Alabama passenger vehicle plate costs $23 on top of registration fees. Drivers can also choose between over 100 specialty and personalized license plates, which cost more.
How can I register an out-of-state vehicle in Alabama?
Moving to Alabama? To register an out-of-state vehicle in Alabama, you’ll need to submit the following to licensing officials within 30 days of moving:
– Original title
– Proof of Alabama insurance
– Last registration from the previous state (if applicable)
– Payment for all applicable feesThere are several reasons why Utah residents might choose to register their vehicles in Montana and save thousands of dollars.
1. Favorable registration fees: compared to Utah, Montana may have lower registration fees or different fee structures. Individuals who register their vehicles in Montana may be able to benefit from potentially lower registration costs.
2. No sales tax: because Montana does not have a general sales tax, individuals who register their vehicles there may avoid paying sales tax on the purchase. This can result in cost savings, especially for high-priced vehicles.
3. Privacy and confidentiality: because Montana allows the use of a registered agent for vehicle registration, some individuals may register their vehicles in Montana to maintain privacy and confidentiality. This means that personal information associated with the vehicle may not be available to the general public.
4. No emissions requirements: Montana does not have a mandatory emissions testing program for vehicles. Individuals with vehicles that may not meet Utah’s emissions requirements opt to register their vehicles in Montana to avoid such testing.
While Utahns save thousands of dollars by doing this, intentionally registering a vehicle in another state to avoid sales tax or fees is not legal. Vehicle registration should take place in the state where the vehicle is primarily used and where the owner resides.
While avoiding sales tax by registering your vehicle in another state is illegal, the details of your situation matter. Talk to an attorney to decide if registering your vehicle in Montana is right for you.
Helpful Resources
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.