How To Buy a Used Car In Mississippi
When purchasing a used vehicle from a private seller, whether in Mississippi or elsewhere, there are some basic steps you should follow. Additionally, Mississippi has a few guidelines and quirks of its own that you should be aware of.
The following tips for buying a used car will keep you on track and help you complete the transaction safely and legally.
The following tips for buying a used car will keep you on track and help you complete the transaction safely and legally.
It’s important that you stay safe and secure when doing private vehicle transactions. This buyer’s guide will show you how to navigate the process in the state of Mississippi.
PrivateAuto has an end-to-end platform for private-party buyers and sellers in Mississippi to get the deal done as fast as possible. From instantaneous, safe money transfers to encrypted messaging, we are the first and only transactional marketplace for private-party used cars.
PrivateAuto has an end-to-end platform for private-party buyers and sellers in Mississippi to get the deal done as fast as possible. From instantaneous, safe money transfers to encrypted messaging, we are the first and only transactional marketplace for private-party used cars.
Mississippi Used Car Buying Process
In Mississippi, you will go through the following steps when buying a used car from a private party.
1. Find a vehicle that suits your needs
2. Agree on a purchase price
3. Schedule the test drive
4. Transfer funds to the seller
5. Have the seller sign over the title
6. Register the car in your name
7. Transfer the vehicle title with the DOR
8. Pay the sales tax and fees
9. Acquire new license plates
Let's go over the vehicle purchasing process in Mississippi in more detail.
1. Find a vehicle that suits your needs
2. Agree on a purchase price
3. Schedule the test drive
4. Transfer funds to the seller
5. Have the seller sign over the title
6. Register the car in your name
7. Transfer the vehicle title with the DOR
8. Pay the sales tax and fees
9. Acquire new license plates
Let's go over the vehicle purchasing process in Mississippi in more detail.
Find a Vehicle to PurchaseFind a Vehicle to Purchase
Whether you want a pickup, a hybrid, or a sedan, you're better off buying from a private owner than a Mississippi used car dealer. To make a profit, car dealerships must buy low and sell high. It's best to avoid the middleman.
PrivateAuto has a wide range of used cars for sale in Mississippi, as well as safety and convenience features our competitors don't have.
For instance, we verify seller identities so you know who you're negotiating with. Within the app, you can look at listings for used cars and make offers. If the seller accepts your offer, you can use our easy scheduling feature to set up a test drive. Everything takes place within the app, and you never share your personal contact information.
PrivateAuto has a wide range of used cars for sale in Mississippi, as well as safety and convenience features our competitors don't have.
For instance, we verify seller identities so you know who you're negotiating with. Within the app, you can look at listings for used cars and make offers. If the seller accepts your offer, you can use our easy scheduling feature to set up a test drive. Everything takes place within the app, and you never share your personal contact information.
Test Drive the Car
When you've found the perfect used car for sale near you and agreed on a price, it's time to take it for a spin.
Schedule the Meetup
Other marketplaces force you and the seller to interact outside the website, exchanging personal info and having a lot of back and forth. We keep your personal info private and secure. Our in-app scheduler makes it easy for you and the seller to find the best time and place to meet.
Research the Car History
Before purchasing a vehicle, it is always advisable to research its history. A service such as CarFax can provide you with a thorough vehicle history report.
AutoCheck and PrivateAuto have teamed up to provide buyers with a motor vehicle history report. When sellers choose a PrivateAuto Premium listing, we provide a vehicle history report for your peace of mind.
AutoCheck and PrivateAuto have teamed up to provide buyers with a motor vehicle history report. When sellers choose a PrivateAuto Premium listing, we provide a vehicle history report for your peace of mind.
Optional Mechanical Inspection
Before buying a used car, you may want to have it mechanically inspected. This is especially important for vehicles that have a high mileage or have not been driven in a long time. See our complete guide to used vehicle inspections for more on this.
Paperwork for Mississippi Title Transfer
Documentation is a key part of the transaction process. Different states have different documentation requirements; here is the required paperwork when buying a used vehicle in Mississippi.
Car Title
Both you and the seller will fill out the certificate of title thoroughly. The following information is required:
See our guide to transferring a car title in Mississippifor more detail on how to fill out a Mississippi Certificate of Title. Or, to understand more about vehicle titles in general, give our vehicle title guide a read.
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Name
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Address
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Signature (completed after payment)
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An odometer disclosure statement (for cars less than 20 years old)
See our guide to transferring a car title in Mississippifor more detail on how to fill out a Mississippi Certificate of Title. Or, to understand more about vehicle titles in general, give our vehicle title guide a read.
Odometer Disclosure
When purchasing a vehicle, Federal law requires the seller to complete the odometer reading statement (also known as an odometer disclosure) on the back of the title.
If there’s no room left on the vehicle title, make sure to complete the Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement.
By inspecting the odometer, you can ensure that the reading on the title is correct. Keep in mind that sellers who tamper with a car's odometer to obtain a false reading can face serious consequences.
For your convenience, the PrivateAuto app includes an odometer reading field where both the buyer and seller can confirm the mileage before proceeding.
If there’s no room left on the vehicle title, make sure to complete the Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement.
By inspecting the odometer, you can ensure that the reading on the title is correct. Keep in mind that sellers who tamper with a car's odometer to obtain a false reading can face serious consequences.
For your convenience, the PrivateAuto app includes an odometer reading field where both the buyer and seller can confirm the mileage before proceeding.
Bill of Sale in the State of Mississippi
In Mississippi, if you buy a car from a private seller, you need a bill of sale.
As part of our standard in-app transaction procedure, PrivateAuto provides you with a bill of sale for Mississippi. Both the buyer and seller will be required to electronically sign the bill of sale in the mobile app at the appropriate time during the transaction.
When you meet for a test drive and like the vehicle, the entire transaction, including the bill of sale, can be completed in a matter of minutes. It is so simple and quick that you won't believe it. The electronic bill of sale will then be available in your PrivateAuto account as proof that the transaction was legal.
As part of our standard in-app transaction procedure, PrivateAuto provides you with a bill of sale for Mississippi. Both the buyer and seller will be required to electronically sign the bill of sale in the mobile app at the appropriate time during the transaction.
When you meet for a test drive and like the vehicle, the entire transaction, including the bill of sale, can be completed in a matter of minutes. It is so simple and quick that you won't believe it. The electronic bill of sale will then be available in your PrivateAuto account as proof that the transaction was legal.
Vehicle Identification Number Check
When purchasing a used car, always do VIN verification. Compare it to the actual VIN on the vehicle. When you go to register your newly purchased car with the State of Mississippi, you want to avoid having the wrong VIN on the car title.
The PrivateAuto app has a field for the VIN, where both buyers and sellers can check it for accuracy. This helps to eliminate errors or having to use a vin decoder (or the rare case of outright seller fraud).
The PrivateAuto app has a field for the VIN, where both buyers and sellers can check it for accuracy. This helps to eliminate errors or having to use a vin decoder (or the rare case of outright seller fraud).
Emissions Testing
In the state of Mississippi, no inspection is needed to register a car. The state of Mississippi does not require vehicle safety checks or emissions testing.
Transfer the Money to the Seller
Now is the time to pay the car's seller. There weren't many safe ways to send large sums of money in a private car transaction before PrivateAuto arrived on the scene.
PrivateAuto Pay
You can send up to a million dollars instantly using our integrated banking gateway, PrivateAuto Pay. The seller will receive the money immediately, whether it is after business hours, on the weekend, or on a holiday. We don't charge a fee for processing payments. It truly is revolutionary.
If you don't like the idea of carrying a briefcase full of cash or waiting for your check to clear, PrivateAuto Pay is for you.
If you don't like the idea of carrying a briefcase full of cash or waiting for your check to clear, PrivateAuto Pay is for you.
Easy Financing Available
Oh, and if you don't want to pay cash for your next vehicle, you can apply for a used auto loan directly from the PrivateAuto app. When your application is approved, your profile will show that you have verified funds, which will set you apart from other buyers.
Our lending partner will pay the seller in full when we close the deal and send payment. You will make monthly car payments to the lender. It's that simple. Curious as to how much your payments will be? Our handy car loan calculator will tell you.
Our lending partner will pay the seller in full when we close the deal and send payment. You will make monthly car payments to the lender. It's that simple. Curious as to how much your payments will be? Our handy car loan calculator will tell you.
Mississippi Title Transfer
The transfer of the Mississippi car title from the seller to the buyer is the crucial phase of the entire transaction. The vehicle is legally yours once there is a seller's signature on the document and they hand it to you. After transferring the title, there are a few more steps to complete before you can call the car yours.
What If There Are Multiple Car Owners?
If there are more than one seller on the title, all of them must sign the document for it to be legal.
Should You Research the Title?
It's always a good idea to do preliminary research on the car title before meeting with the seller.
To protect yourself from fraud, the Mississippi Center of Justice suggests looking up the title of a used car you might buy on the National Insurance Crime Bureau website. It doesn't happen often, but sellers will occasionally try to mislead or outright deceive. They might try to pass off a salvage title as a clean title, for example.
Good title research will help you check for:
To protect yourself from fraud, the Mississippi Center of Justice suggests looking up the title of a used car you might buy on the National Insurance Crime Bureau website. It doesn't happen often, but sellers will occasionally try to mislead or outright deceive. They might try to pass off a salvage title as a clean title, for example.
Good title research will help you check for:
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Reports of the car having been stolen
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The car having been declared a total loss in an insurance claim
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Release of lien
Finalize with Mississippi DOR
n Mississippi, you have to finish the process of transferring the title at the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR). They will require you to complete the following:
If you want a more in-depth exploration, take a look at our Mississippi title transfer guide.
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The original vehicle title
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A completed bill of sale and odometer disclosure statement (Form Misissippi-005)
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Proof of a lien release (if applicable)
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A completed registration/title/tax application (Form VD-119)
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Payment for all applicable vehicle titling fees and taxes
Mississippi Title Transfer Fees
The title fees in the state of Mississippi are $35. You will also have to pay:
Used car sales tax in Mississippi is based on the type of car, its value, and where the owner lives. Contact the county tax collector's office if you need assistance computing these taxes.
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Mississippi car sales tax
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License plate fee: $10
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Registration fee: $14
Used car sales tax in Mississippi is based on the type of car, its value, and where the owner lives. Contact the county tax collector's office if you need assistance computing these taxes.
License Plates and Registration
Different states will have different rules regarding what happens to license plates when a used car is sold. Some states allow the plates to remain with the car and be transferred to the buyer. Mississippi, unfortunately, is not one of those states.
When you buy a used vehicle in Mississippi from a private owner, Mississippi law requires the seller to take off the license plates.
When you register the car in your name with the tax collector's office, you'll need to apply for new license plates. Standard Mississippi license plates cost $10.
To register your vehicle, you will need to send in the following registration paperwork and payments:
When you buy a used vehicle in Mississippi from a private owner, Mississippi law requires the seller to take off the license plates.
When you register the car in your name with the tax collector's office, you'll need to apply for new license plates. Standard Mississippi license plates cost $10.
To register your vehicle, you will need to send in the following registration paperwork and payments:
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State-issued photo identification
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Original certificate of title
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An odometer reading (only if purchased in another state).
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The car’s vehicle identification number.
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Payment to cover MS vehicle registration fees ($14).
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Payment to cover sales tax and other fees
Registration Fees
Registration fees for a Mississippi resident include the following:
1. Passenger vehicle registration: $14
2. Mississippi Road and Bridge Privilege Tax: $15
1. Passenger vehicle registration: $14
2. Mississippi Road and Bridge Privilege Tax: $15
Buying a Used Car in Mississippi with PrivateAuto
It’s easy to buy or sell a used car online with PrivateAuto. Whether you’re looking for a Tesla, a Ford Ranger, a Land Rover, a Toyota Tacoma, or a Subaru, Mississippi car buyers will find a great deal on the ride of their dreams.
We are the only end-to-end vehicle buying platform that gives you everything you need to get the deal done, from making offers to sending payments.
Browse our used cars for sale in Mississippi.
The PrivateAuto buying process consists of a few simple steps:
We are the only end-to-end vehicle buying platform that gives you everything you need to get the deal done, from making offers to sending payments.
Browse our used cars for sale in Mississippi.
The PrivateAuto buying process consists of a few simple steps:
Create an account on PrivateAuto and get verified
We require email, phone, and driver's license verification, as well as facial recognition, to make PrivateAuto a safe place for everyone.
Get started here.
Get started here.
Search a car you like
PrivateAuto makes it simple to browse our used car listings. Filter by make, model, mileage, year, and other criteria to make your search simpler and faster.
Make your offer
Make an offer on any vehicles that catch your eye. It is entirely up to you whether to accept the seller's asking price or to make a lower offer. You can also decide whether to accept only ID-verified sellers.
Take a test drive
As the buyer, you will want to test drive the vehicle. There will be no more back-and-forth texting. You never have to give out your phone number. Instead, use our easy scheduling feature to set up a time and place for a test drive. (Oh, and FYI, you'll be able to complete the transaction immediately at the test drive location.)
Take care of the documents
When you're happy with the car and the two of you have agreed on a price, you can easily e-sign the bill of sale from your phone using our app. With our feature for sharing documents, it's easy to find the paperwork you need after the sale.
Transfer funds
Before PrivateAuto, getting the money was the most stressful part of buying a car, especially if you were buying a used car for more than $5,000. There aren't many good ways to move large sums of money quickly and easily.
Those days are over! With PrivateAuto Pay, you can instantly send funds anytime of the day.
Need used vehicle financing? Use our app to apply for a used car loan. If accepted, your profile will show "verified funds," and our financing partner will pay the car's seller. After that, you will make monthly payments to our partner. You will then make monthly payments to our partner. So convenient and easy.
Those days are over! With PrivateAuto Pay, you can instantly send funds anytime of the day.
Need used vehicle financing? Use our app to apply for a used car loan. If accepted, your profile will show "verified funds," and our financing partner will pay the car's seller. After that, you will make monthly payments to our partner. You will then make monthly payments to our partner. So convenient and easy.
Title transfers
The seller will transfer ownership of the vehicle to you by signing over the title. Afterward, you'll complete the transfer of title with the Mississippi DOR.
Selling your car? Choose PrivateAuto to get the best price and transact easily and safely!
Selling your car? Choose PrivateAuto to get the best price and transact easily and safely!
Mississippi Car Buying FAQ
Who pays for the car title transfer fees in Mississippi?
When applying for a Mississippi title, the title transfer fee is paid by the buyer. The buyer will also pay registration fees and license plate fees, they are not included in the purchase price.
What kind of insurance does a used car need?
Does Mississippi lemon law apply to used cars?
What are temporary tags?
Is buying a car privately for cash a good idea?
Are title certificated ownership documents?
How to protect yourself when buying a vehicle privately?
How can I get a duplicate title in Mississippi?
How do you transfer an out-of-state title?
What is a manufacturer's statement of origin?
Further Reading
Sell Your Used Car In Mississippi
Our Guide To Buying a Used Car in Tennessee
What Paperwork Do You Need To Sell A Car In Mississippi?
How To Transfer A Car Title To a Family Member?
How To Sell A Car If The Owner Is Deceased?
What are Salvage Titles?
Everything You Need To Know About Buying A Car Long Distance
Are Used Car Prices Dropping?
Landon Epperly
Contributing Author
Landon Epperly is the Product Manager at PrivateAuto, where he thrives on turning innovative ideas into reality. With a deep passion for cars and boats, Landon combines his love for vehicles with his expertise in product development to enhance the online marketplace experience....