How to Buy a Used Car From a Private Seller In Montana
Avoid pesky dealership fees and get a better deal when you buy a car from a private seller.
PrivateAuto streamlines the private car buying experience and makes it quick and safe. Keep reading to learn how to buy your dream car in the Treasure State, and how we make the process easy and safe.
Step 1: Browse Used Vehicles Online
Whether you are searching for a work truck, a classic car, a minivan, or a special edition Toyota Tundra, 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 down to closing the deal, so we like to call them "meetingplaces".
Another downside to most of these websites is that they mix dealer inventory with private-party cars. Most of them don’t have a simple way to filter by private-party vehicles, so you’re left digging through hundreds of dealer listings to find the private offerings.
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 DealNow was developed. It allows you to start a deal on any site, and close the sale anytime.
Invite the seller to DealNow and fast-track your transaction.
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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.
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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.
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 down to closing the deal, so we like to call them "meetingplaces".
Another downside to most of these websites is that they mix dealer inventory with private-party cars. Most of them don’t have a simple way to filter by private-party vehicles, so you’re left digging through hundreds of dealer listings to find the private offerings.
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 DealNow was developed. It allows you to start a deal on any site, and close the sale anytime.
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
It’s advisable to do preliminary research on the car you’re about to spend thousands of dollars on. A vehicle history report can help you avoid buying a faulty car.
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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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 (MVDs).
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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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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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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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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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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 take it for a spin. 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 personal 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 personal 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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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 under the car for leaks, rust, and damage. Look at brake lines, exhaust, and suspension components.
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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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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 Montana Bill of Sale
Montana requires a bill of sale for private sales. 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 Montana 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 Montana 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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Date of the transaction.
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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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A warranty disclaimer stating the car is being sold as-is.
PrivateAuto provides an official Montana 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 Montana 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. Incumbent 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.
If you are not in a place where you can pay cash for your next car, you can apply for a used vehicle loan directly through our app. 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.
If you are not in a place where you can pay cash for your next car, you can apply for a used vehicle loan directly through our app. 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 title certificate, 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). In many states, including Montana, the title includes an odometer disclosure. For other states, an additional odometer disclosure statement is required as a separate document.
You can always complete the Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement so your bases are covered.
Inspect the odometer to verify that the seller’s entry is correct. Keep in mind that sellers who tamper with a car's odometer to obtain a false reading can face serious consequences.
The PrivateAuto app has a field for the odometer reading so that both the buyer and the seller can check the mileage before moving forward.
You can always complete the Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement so your bases are covered.
Inspect the odometer to verify that the seller’s entry is correct. Keep in mind that sellers who tamper with a car's odometer to obtain a false reading can face serious consequences.
The PrivateAuto app has a field for the odometer reading so that both the buyer and the seller can check 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 car insurance.
The PrivateAuto app makes it easy to compare rates and get car insurance.
Step 10: Finalize with Montana MVD
You technically own the car at this point, but the Montana MVD 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 Montana 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 Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle
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Proof of auto insurance.
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Payment for the title transfer fee: $10.30.
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Payment for the passenger vehicle registration fee: from $28 to $217.
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Payment for Montana license plates: $12.36.
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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 Montana title transfer guide.
Montana License Plates
Some states allow the license plates to remain with the car when sold. Montana requires the seller to remove the plates from the car. As the buyer, you’ll apply to the MVD office for new Montana license plates.
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.
Before PrivateAuto, dealers offered an escape from the messiness of the private-party sale. People were willing to pay fees and markups for that convenience. Now they don't need to. We bring security and dealer-like convenience to the private-party car transaction
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.
Before PrivateAuto, dealers offered an escape from the messiness of the private-party sale. People were willing to pay fees and markups for that convenience. Now they don't need to. We bring security and dealer-like convenience to the private-party car transaction
Our transactional marketplace gives you all the tools to drive the deal on your terms, including unlimited instant payments with no transfer fees.
Montana FAQ
Does Montana have vehicle sales tax?
The Treasure State lets you off the hook for sales tax, but you still need to pay the fees involved with registering and titling the car.
Is auto insurance mandatory in Montana?
Why do Uthans register vehicles in Montana?
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.