Selling a Used Car in Texas

PrivateAuto is the fastest, most secure, and most convenient platform for selling your used car in Texas. We tell you everything you need to know.

Wondering how to sell a car in Texas? It's not difficult, it just takes some preparation and planning. Before you list your used car for sale, take a look at these tips we've compiled. Make sure you're honest about your car's condition and that you file all the necessary paperwork in a timely fashion, and you'll help someone find the ride they need.

The first order of business is getting your vehicle's paperwork in order. For a car sale in Texas, you'll need the vehicle's title and a completed Texas Certificate of Title application. Make sure to fill out the odometer readout space on your title and ensure it's accurately reflected on the Certificate of Title, as well, because odometer fraud happens.

In Texas, you must fill out a Certificate of Title application, or Form 130-U. In many states, you must complete a Bill of Sale, but — in Texas — Form 130-U serves as the Bill of Sale. Make sure you include the amount you sold the car for. While this is much the same as a bill of sale, it also includes additional important information that's used for tax purposes.

While some states' methods of filing for a lost title are rather intricate, getting a duplicate title in Texas is pretty straightforward and inexpensive. To get a duplicate title in Texas, you'll need:


Fill out the application and mail it to the service center nearest you. If you prefer doing things in person, you can bring your application to the service center, but it costs $5.45 for in-person service.

The DMV doesn't require a lot of paperwork, and what they do require is relatively easy to complete and submit. However, buyers of used cars like to see things like vehicle history reports and service records. This helps them find the best deal for their situation.

Your service records show two things:

1. How well you've kept up on routine maintenance.
2. What you've had fixed (very helpful if the vehicle has previous recalls).

Rather than making the buyer do a VIN records search, you'll have all necessary information handy in the service records. This helps build confidence in the buyer as it shows you've regularly maintained the car and that you're an honest salesperson.

To get your car ready for prospective buyers, it should be cleaned as thoroughly as possible. You can take the car to be detailed or do this part yourself. Pay attention to such things as:


Now you're ready to get some pictures of the car, inside and out. Make sure you've got good lighting and take pictures of the car's features along with its weaknesses. For instance, show how clean the interior is and how great the paint still shines. Of course, if the car has some dents, dings, or scratches, snap some pics of those, too.

Honesty is the best policy, in life and in car sales. People usually use your photos to make a buying decision. If you're selling your car in person and you haven't disclosed certain items, you'll likely lose the sale immediately. Try to get as much as possible repaired on the car before you list it for sale. Things that won't eat into your profit too much include:


Fixing these little things can help you sell your car faster and improve your asking price.

Now you're ready to familiarize yourself with the going rate for used cars like yours. Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds are great places to gauge your car's current value. To find the price closest to your vehicle's actual value, be honest. For instance, on Kelley Blue Book's site, you'll be asked questions about make and model year; mileage; damage; and extra options.

You can put your car in your local newspaper, tack it to a community notices board, or list it online with PrivateAuto. While all of these options have their strengths, listing with PrivateAuto offers an easy and safe way to get offers on your rig, including several amenities, such as:

After a vehicle sale, it's a good idea to keep track of the following information:


Also, it's not legally required, but the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles suggests that sellers notify their vehicle service center whenever they transfer ownership of a vehicle.

Other items you should remember when selling a car include:


Ready to list your vehicle with PrivateAuto or looking for a used car for yourself? Browse our listings today.

You can typically get a higher price for your car in the private market than they do from a Texas dealership trade-in. That’s because dealerships need to make a spread: they buy low and sell high.

Unfortunately, selling your vehicle on the private market has always been a cumbersome process, in Texas and throughout the US. Until now.

Texas private car sellers love PrivateAuto because we make the process of selling your car so simple.

Here’s how the PrivateAuto selling process works:

1. You register on PrivateAuto and we verify you
2. You list your car model with our easy step-by-step guided process
3. You set your terms and screen would-be buyers
4. You vet incoming offers and choose a buyer
5. You and the buyer e-sign documents from your PrivateAuto phone app
6. You get paid, instantaneously

So easy.

Are you interested in buying a car in Texas instead? Look through our used cars for sale.