Buying a Used Car In Massachusetts From a Private Seller
A private-party car purchase offers better value than a dealership. Here's what you need to know to navigate the process in Massachusetts.
PrivateAuto streamlines the private car buying experience and makes it quick and safe. Let’s get into the process.
Step 1: Browse Used Vehicles Online
Whether you are searching for a work truck, a classic truck, a minivan, or a special edition Jeep Gladiator, you’ll probably want to shop online. There are lots of car-buying websites with used vehicles for sale by owner:
While these platforms help you find used cars near you, all of them lack transactional capabilities. They leave you to your own devices when it comes to closing the deal, so we like to call them "meetingplaces.”
We’re the world's only fully self-service tech-enabled solution for every stage of the deal.
We have nothing against other listing sites. If you find your car on one of them, we’re happy for you. But we still want you to have the transactional security and convenience that our users enjoy.
That’s why we developed DealNow. It allows you to start a deal on any site, and finish it on PrivateAuto.
Invite the seller to DealNow and fast-track your transaction.
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Vehicle listing sites such as Autotrader.
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Social media listings.
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Auction websites such as Cars and Bids and Hemmings.
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Online classifieds
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National classifieds such as Craigslist and OfferUp.
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Local classifieds such as KSL Cars.
While these platforms help you find used cars near you, all of them lack transactional capabilities. They leave you to your own devices when it comes to closing the deal, so we like to call them "meetingplaces.”
We’re the world's only fully self-service tech-enabled solution for every stage of the deal.
We have nothing against other listing sites. If you find your car on one of them, we’re happy for you. But we still want you to have the transactional security and convenience that our users enjoy.
That’s why we developed DealNow. It allows you to start a deal on any site, and finish it on PrivateAuto.
Invite the seller to DealNow and fast-track your transaction.
Step 2: Negotiate a Price
You want to get the very best car for your budget. PrivateAuto allows you to make offers on vehicles 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.
Step 3: Vehicle Research
You should definitely do your research on the car you’re about to spend thousands of dollars on. A vehicle history report can help you avoid buying a lemon.
We have partnered with AutoCheck to provide vehicle history reports on premium listings. AutoCheck gets its data from the following sources:
Doing an AutoCheck on a vehicle uncovers valuable insights into the car's background.
We have partnered with AutoCheck to provide vehicle history reports on premium listings. AutoCheck gets its data from the following sources:
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Insurance companies.
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Vehicle inspection and state inspection stations.
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Import and export companies.
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Collision repair shops.
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Service records from maintenance facilities.
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OEM manufacturers.
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Salvage auctions.
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Car dealerships and extended warranty companies.
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Auto auctions.
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State Departments of Motor Vehicles (RMVs).
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Rental and fleet companies.
Doing an AutoCheck on a vehicle uncovers valuable insights into the car's background.
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Regular maintenance (or lack thereof).
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Title history: flood damage, salvage titles, junk titles, hail damage, storm damage, fire damage, and more.
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Emissions records.
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Odometer rollback.
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Structural or frame damage.
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Service, repair, and maintenance performed.
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Total loss and reason for the loss.
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Lien information, ownership transfers.
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Manufacturer buybacks or lemon titles.
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Collision repair history.
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City and state of previous registration, number of owners.
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Accidents and damage reports, stolen vehicles.
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Rental, taxi, lease, or government use.
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Stolen cars.
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Major repairs.
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Open recalls.
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And lots more…
Step 4: Take the Car for a Spin
Once you’ve found your car and settled on a price, it's time to drive it. Other marketplaces force you to exchange personal info with the seller and have an awkward back-and-forth conversation about scheduling.
Your privacy is compromised, and you waste a lot of time.
We keep your info secure. All communication happens through our secure messaging system. The in-app scheduler makes it easy to schedule the meetup: just select from the seller’s available times and show up at their designated location.
Your privacy is compromised, and you waste a lot of time.
We keep your info secure. All communication happens through our secure messaging system. The in-app scheduler makes it easy to schedule the meetup: just select from the seller’s available times and show up at their designated location.
Step 5: Vehicle Inspection
Before you say yes to the car, you should inspect it. Even better, arrange a professional pre-purchase inspection. Order a pre-purchase inspection in your PrivateAuto service hub, and a Lemon Squad inspector will come to your location.
Here are some of the things the Lemon Squad inspector will look into. Or, if you choose to do your own inspection, look out for the following:
Here are some of the things the Lemon Squad inspector will look into. Or, if you choose to do your own inspection, look out for the following:
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Tires: examine tire treads and make sure there is sufficient tread depth. Also look for any cracks, bulges, or other tire damage. Check the spare as well.
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Interior: ensure all controls, electronics, air conditioning, and heating work properly. Look for any warning lights on the dash when the car is started. Check for water damage, stains, or tears inside.
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Body: check for obvious damage, body panel alignment, uneven gaps, mismatched paint, and signs of damage repair. Look closely for any indications of collision repair. Check for rust underneath and around various body panels. Check headlights, brake lights, and other lights.
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Fluids: check all fluid levels, including engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and coolant. Look for leaks and make sure the fluids look clean and at proper levels.
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Undercarriage: inspect the car for leaks, rust, and damage. Look at brake lines, exhaust, and suspension components.
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Test drive: drive the car under different conditions to test acceleration, braking, steering, and transmission, and to feel and listen for any mechanical issues.
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Maintenance records: review the vehicle history report and check maintenance logs to understand repair and ownership history.
Step 6: Sign the Massachusetts Bill of Sale
Massachusetts requires a bill of sale for private-party car transactions. The bill of sale is a legal document that protects both buyer and seller by memorializing the terms of the sale.
Here are the necessary elements included in a bill of sale:
PrivateAuto provides an official Massachusetts bill of sale as part of our standard in-app transaction process. At the appropriate stage of the transaction workflow, you and the seller will sign the Massachusetts bill of sale electronically in the PrivateAuto app. You’ll each retain a signed copy in your PrivateAuto account.
You can then feel comfortable paying for the car, knowing the seller is bound by an enforceable contract.
Here are the necessary elements included in a bill of sale:
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Price of the car.
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Your full name and signature.
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The make, model, and year of the car.
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The other party’s full name and signature.
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Date of the transaction.
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A warranty disclaimer stating the car is being sold as-is.
PrivateAuto provides an official Massachusetts bill of sale as part of our standard in-app transaction process. At the appropriate stage of the transaction workflow, you and the seller will sign the Massachusetts bill of sale electronically in the PrivateAuto app. You’ll each retain a signed copy in your PrivateAuto account.
You can then feel comfortable paying for the car, knowing the seller is bound by an enforceable contract.
Step 7: Pay for the Car
It's time to pay the seller. Other payment methods are risky, inconvenient, or expensive (or a combo of all three). That’s why we created PrivateAuto Pay.
You can send unlimited funds to the seller with no transfer fees. Holidays, weekends, or nights—anytime. The seller will receive the money immediately. It’s convenient, secure, and most importantly, easy to use. Its instantaneous nature provides escrow-like safeguards for you to control the deal.
You can apply for a used vehicle loan directly through our app if you can’t afford to shell out the car’s full price. When your application is approved, your profile will show that you have verified funds, setting you apart from other buyers.
Our lending partner will pay the seller in full when you close the deal and send payment. You will make monthly car payments to the lender. It's that simple.
Want to know how much your payments will be? Our handy car loan calculator will tell you.
You can send unlimited funds to the seller with no transfer fees. Holidays, weekends, or nights—anytime. The seller will receive the money immediately. It’s convenient, secure, and most importantly, easy to use. Its instantaneous nature provides escrow-like safeguards for you to control the deal.
You can apply for a used vehicle loan directly through our app if you can’t afford to shell out the car’s full price. When your application is approved, your profile will show that you have verified funds, setting you apart from other buyers.
Our lending partner will pay the seller in full when you close the deal and send payment. You will make monthly car payments to the lender. It's that simple.
Want to know how much your payments will be? Our handy car loan calculator will tell you.
Step 8: Sign the Official Title Certificate
After you’ve paid for the car, you and the seller will each fill out and sign the certificate of title, and the seller will give it to you. This is the crowning step that makes you the official vehicle owner.
Both parties need to fill out the title certificate thoroughly. The following info is required:
Both parties need to fill out the title certificate thoroughly. The following info is required:
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Names
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Addresses
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Damage disclosure statement
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An odometer disclosure statement
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Signatures
Odometer Disclosure
Federal law requires the seller to complete the odometer reading statement (also known as an odometer disclosure). Fill out the odometer disclosure statement on the title.
Inspect the odometer to verify that the seller’s entry is correct. Sellers who tamper with a car's odometer to obtain a false reading can face serious consequences, so hopefully everything is aboveboard.
The PrivateAuto app has a field for the odometer reading so that you and the seller can validate the mileage before moving forward.
Inspect the odometer to verify that the seller’s entry is correct. Sellers who tamper with a car's odometer to obtain a false reading can face serious consequences, so hopefully everything is aboveboard.
The PrivateAuto app has a field for the odometer reading so that you and the seller can validate the mileage before moving forward.
VIN Check
Always verify the VIN to compare it to that written on the title. You want to avoid having the wrong VIN on the title, as this will cause all sorts of problems later on.
The PrivateAuto app has a field for the VIN, where both the buyer and seller can check it for accuracy. This helps to eliminate any errors (or the rare case of outright seller fraud).
The PrivateAuto app has a field for the VIN, where both the buyer and seller can check it for accuracy. This helps to eliminate any errors (or the rare case of outright seller fraud).
Step 9: Get Auto Insurance
Before driving the car home, you’ll want to have it covered under an insurance policy. Most states require liability insurance at a minimum; it’s up to you whether to get more coverage.
The PrivateAuto app makes it easy to compare rates and get auto insurance.
The PrivateAuto app makes it easy to compare rates and get auto insurance.
Step 10: Finalize with Massachusetts RMV
You own the car at this point, but the Massachusetts RMV needs to know that. It’s time to register the car in your name, transfer the title in the state records, and get new license plates.
They will require the following:
For more info about the title transfer process, read our Massachusetts title transfer guide.
They will require the following:
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The vehicle title signed by the previous vehicle owner.
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Bill of sale (proof of ownership)
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Completed Registration and Title Application
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Proof of insurance.
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Payment for the title transfer fee: $75.
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Payment for the passenger vehicle registration fee: from $30 to $60.
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Payment for Massachusetts sales tax: 6.25% of the vehicle purchase price.
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Potentially other taxes and fees, depending on your city and county of residence.
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Valid driver's license.
For more info about the title transfer process, read our Massachusetts title transfer guide.
Massachusetts License Plates
Some states allow the license plates to remain with the car when sold. Massachusetts requires the seller to remove the plates from the car. As the buyer, you’ll apply to the RMV office for new Massachusetts license plates.
As the buyer, you’ll apply to the RMV for new Massachusetts license plates (the cost of standard plates is included in vehicle registration).
As the buyer, you’ll apply to the RMV for new Massachusetts license plates (the cost of standard plates is included in vehicle registration).
Massachusetts Emissions Certificate
In Massachusetts, vehicles must undergo annual emissions checks to be registered.
The following categories are exempt:
If the car that you are buying does not meet any of these exemptions, find an approved emissions testing facility and proceed with the test.
For locations of smog check stations visit the Massachusetts RMV website.
For most cars, the fee for performing this test will be $35.
The following categories are exempt:
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New cars (for up to one year of the sale or lease date).
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Electric cars.
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Diesel cars made before 1984.
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Diesel cars older than 15 years old or made before 1997.
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Diesel cars made before 2007 with a gross car weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.
If the car that you are buying does not meet any of these exemptions, find an approved emissions testing facility and proceed with the test.
For locations of smog check stations visit the Massachusetts RMV website.
For most cars, the fee for performing this test will be $35.
Should I Buy from a Dealership or a Private Seller?
Dealerships can be more convenient (before PrivateAuto, that is), while private-party cars offer better value.
The private-party purchase offers the following advantages:
1. You drive the deal on your terms. PrivateAuto allows you to make offers and negotiate the best deal directly with the seller.
2. 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.
3. Avoid fees. Vehicle dealers charge documentation fees that range from $50 to over $1,000.
Our transactional marketplace gives you all the tools to drive the deal on your terms, including unlimited instant payments with no transfer fees.
The private-party purchase offers the following advantages:
1. You drive the deal on your terms. PrivateAuto allows you to make offers and negotiate the best deal directly with the seller.
2. 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.
3. Avoid fees. Vehicle dealers charge documentation fees that range from $50 to over $1,000.
Our transactional marketplace gives you all the tools to drive the deal on your terms, including unlimited instant payments with no transfer fees.
Massachusetts FAQ
What is a temporary tag?
Paper license plates, also known as temporary tags, are issued to car buyers as a temporary registration. They are also issued for demonstration cars in dealerships, vehicle transfers, or loaned cars. Temporary license plate tags can be used for 20 days in Massachusetts.