How to Sell a Car in Kentucky? A Step-by-Step Guide

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How to Sell a Car in Kentucky?


There are three main ways to sell your car in Kentucky;

Jump to: Sell Car Privately

Jump to: Sell Car to Car Buying Website

Jump to: Sell Car to Dealership

Turnaroud Effort needed Best for
Privately 7-14 days Most Used cars
Car Buying Website 24-72 hours Fill online form Junk and old cars
Dealership 7-10 days Visit office Mostly new cars

Sell Car Privately in Kentucky


With approximately 1.7 registered trucks and vehicles, it is no secret that most Kentucky residents are privately selling vehicles and trucks. Below are detailed steps you can follow when selling your car in Kentucky to enable you to sell your car faster and for the best price. 

Requirements to Sell a Car in Kentucky

  • Proof of insurance
  • Your valid ID
  • Buyers signature
  • Your signature
  • Bill of sale
  • Lien release
  • Notify your local county if you are selling your car to an out-of-state buyer

Step 1: Allow for Pre-Sale Inspection

Kentucky does not require pre-sale inspection. However, when selling an out-of-state vehicle, the law requires that an inspection must be held. Out-of-state vehicles are inspected by the county Sheriff, where registration of the vehicle will take place.

In Kentucky, vehicle inspections are done to ensure that all cars brought to Kentucky are safe, roadworthy, and meet all the traffic requirements. 

On the other hand, most potential buyers might want a pre-sale conducted before completing the sale process. In this case, you should allow the sales process to continue since it helps clear any doubt on the buyer’s part. 

Since most buyers hire a qualified or licensed auto mechanic to help with the inspection, you both need to agree on when and where the inspection is to be held. 

Step 2: Clean the Car

While cleaning your car take the following into consideration;

  • Fix damages; if the car has electrical or mechanical damages, you can go ahead and repair the damages. You can also change car oil, adjust car brakes or change car tires to ensure they are in good shape. 
  • Take out all your belongings from the vehicle and clear trash from the back seat pockets. 
  • Thoroughly wash your car and vacuum clean door mats, and car seats to remove dust and debris. 
  • Take clear photos that you will show potential buyers or use for listing on different marketing platforms. 

Maximize all listing and advertising platforms to reach a wider audience.

Step 3: List your Car for Sale on Private Car Selling Websites and Other Marketplaces

Listing your car ensures you reach a wider audience and get numerous bids from potential buyers. Remember, to attract more buyers; you need to list on different marketplaces and private car selling websites. Below are some of the platforms you can use to advertise your car;

  • Facebook marketplace
  • Gumtree

Private car selling websites where you can list your car in Kentucky include; 

To make your listing sell, you need to;

  • Give a detailed description of your car
  • Indicate important information such as car model, make, current condition, and make. 
  • Include if the car has scratches, stains, or any issues that might not make it function properly
  • Use clear photos to accompany your listing

Step 4:  Gather Vehicle Information

Vehicle documentation includes;

  • Maintenance records
  • Owners manual
  • Vehicle title
  • Vehicle insurance
  • Lien document
  • Certificate of title

Providing your potential buyers with detailed and comprehensive documents boost buyers’ confidence in the state of your vehicle. You can also download vehicle reports from platforms like CarFax or AutoCheck and share them with the buyer. 

In case there is a lien on the title, they must show their stand before the sale process advances. The seller can achieve this by paying off the car or contacting the lien holder to provide the letter of lien release. If you can’t pay off the car, Kentucky suggests that you submit lien termination for your line holder to the local county clerk 

Step 5: Bill of Sale

While a Bill of Sale is not required in Kentucky when registering your vehicle, it is useful since it can be used as proof of purchase. According to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Website Cabinet, a Bill of Sale should contain;

  • Your original Kentucky ID
  • Proof of insurance issued in the last 45 days
  • Current Kentucky certificate of title
  • Current registration receipt for individuals registering vehicles from out of state

You can download the recommended Bill of Sale on the Kentucky DMV website

Step 6: Collect Payment

Before transferring or signing off title, you should collect your payment from the buyer. Choose the best payment method that works best for both parties to avoid inconveniences. 

Step 7: Title Transfer

If you have lost your title or it’s stolen or damaged, you can fill out form TC 96-182 on the Kentucky MVD website to get a duplicate or replacement of your vehicle title. 

After filling out the form, you need to submit it to the clerk’s office with additional details, including; title number, license number, your valid ID, and a $6 processing fee plus the cost of the notary. 

Additionally, if you want to correct your current odometer reading on the title, you can fill out an Affidavit of mileage correction form TC 96-322. When selling your car in Kentucky, both parties must sign relevant fields on the back of the document.

The information included on the back of the title are;

  • Legal names of both seller and buyer
  • Address of the buyer and seller
  • Signatures of the buyer and seller
  • Odometer reading
  • Date of sale
  • Purchase price 

Accurately filling out your title will make it easy for the buyer to get a new plate license or transfer registration. 

When selling your car to an out-of-state residence, both parties must complete and submit an Affidavit of Incomplete Transfer, form TC 96-3, in the presence of a notary public. 

Additionally, Kentucky also collects vehicle usage tax once the vehicle ownership changes. 

Step 8: Filling out Notification of Sale

After successfully transferring your title, you need to fill out a notification of sale (TC 96-159) to notify Kentucky DMV that you’ve sold your car. When filling out notification of sale, you include information such as

  • Buyer details
  • Seller details
  • Vehicle information and details

If you sold your vehicle to an out-of-state resident, you need to transport the car within 15 days. 

Step 9: Remove your Plate

Before handing the vehicle to the new owner, you must remove the plates. Failure to remove the plates might make you responsible for crimes committed by the buyer. 

After removing the plate, you can use it on any of your vehicles or hand them over to Kentucky DMV licensing officials. On the other hand, Kentucky requires the car buyer to acquire new plates within 21 days. 

Step 10; Cancel Insurance and Subscriptions

You must cancel your vehicle insurance or any subscriptions associated with your sold vehicle. Canceling your insurance ensures you don’t pay for insurance for your sold car. Moreover, examples of subscriptions you need to cancel include

  • Telematics
  • Satellite radios
  • Internet subscription 

sell my car

Sell Car to Car Buying Website


Car buying sites like Wheelzy and Peddle make car selling simple, fast, and convenient. With these car buying websites, you are likely to save time and money on taxes. Besides, you also get fair and competitive deals when selling your car. 

Peddle and Wheelzy also helps you handle paperwork such as title transfer, organizing car inspections, or filling out documents during the vehicle transfer process. 

After providing you with an instant quote, you have 7 days to accept or decline the offer. If you accept the offer, respective company agents will contact you to pick up your sold car within 48 hours. 

Peddle


Peddle Summary

  • Buys used, damaged or junk car nationwide
  • Get instant quote on (855) 925 4302
  • Free towing within 48 hours after offer
  • Receive payment upon car collection

How Much Peddle Will Pay for Your Car in Kentucky

The table below shows few of the cars Peddle has recently purchased in Kentucky

Make Year Offer value
Dodge (Intrepid) 1998 $305
Chevrolet (Impala) 2008 $325
Buick (La Crosse) 2006 $345

Wheelzy


Wheelzy Summary

  • Wheelzy stores are open 7 days a week
  • Get offer in minutes – (855) 510-1108
  • Free towing of your car from your location
  • Instant payment via cash or check

How Much Wheelzy Will Pay for Your Car in Kentucky?

Here are a few examples of Wheelzy’s recent purchases:

Make Year Mileage Offer value
Jeep (Grand Cherokee) 2006 200,000 $305
Toyota (Prius) 2007 300,000 $525
Dodge (Durango) 2006 200,000 $227

best place to sell car online free

Sell Car to Dealership


In case you don’t prefer selling your car online or privately, you can opt for dealerships. With dealerships, you are likely to get the best offers for your car. However, it is advisable to know the value of your vehicle before selling it through dealerships. 

Dealerships will offer you quotes depending on your vehicle mileage, current condition, make and model. The prices quoted by dealers may slightly differ from the original trade-in value price. If you accept the offer, you can drop your car and receive your payments.

Best dealerships in Kentucky:

DriveTime

Greg Coats Cars and Trucks

Louisville Motors 1

Sell Car in Kentucky FAQ


Must I pay taxes when transferring my vehicle in Kentucky?

When changing ownership of your vehicle, you are required to pay a usage tax of 6% of the total retail value of the vehicle. 

What are the requirements when requesting for vehicle registration renewal online?

You will be asked to provide your vehicle title number, plate number and your credit card numbers card, e.g., MasterCard or Visa card number.

How long does it take to get a personalized plate number?

You will have to wait for 4 to 6 weeks from the time of application before receiving your plate number. 

Will Kentucky decline my application if it is incomplete?

An incomplete application won’t be considered. You will receive a request from your county clerk asking you to complete the application and resubmit. 

How much does a personalized license plate cost in Kentucky?

You will have to pay $25 to your county clerk to get a personalized license plate number. 

how to sell a car in tennessee

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