Although selling a car can be time-consuming and tedious, it doesn't have to be. It's always good to know all requirements, before selling.
⚠️ If It's Broken, Don't Fix It - Get Paid Cash for Your Vehicle ⚠️
So allow us to offer you some guides, tips and advice on how to sell a car in North Dakota!
If You're Selling A Vehicle…
For vehicle sellers, you may have lots to do. You can begin with the following:
- Be sure that you remove the license plates from the vehicle you're selling.
- Secondly, don't forget to sign the title .
- And take the time to record an odometer reading.
- Be sure to submit an Assignment and Warranty of Title (Form SFN 2877) to the North Dakota Department of Transportation or the DOT.
Additional Vehicle Seller Tasks to Take Care Of
You must date as well as sign the Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title. Additionally, you must also complete the information asking for the date of sale, the selling price and the current odometer reading. Additionally, you must complete each of these, for motor vehicles that are less than ten (10) years old.
For a vehicle that is less than nine (9) years old, then you must fill out the SFN 18609 Damage Disclosure Statement.
When the owner of a vehicle sells, or transfers the ownership of the vehicle, the owner has to remove the license plate and North Dakota will deem the car as unlicensed.
Click here to read more!
How to sell a car in North Dakota – What About a Duplicate Car Title?
The vehicle's legal owner has to complete the form SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title and Registration.
That owner must also include some important information about the vehicle.
Don't forget to include the reason for the duplicate. You must write this on the application.
Once complete, North Dakota's DOT will mail the owner or the lien holder of record.
“If the Motor Vehicle records show a lien, the title must be mailed to the lien holder unless a SFN 2876 Release of Lien by Legal Owner is provided. Duplicate title fee is $5,” adds the DOT.
Additional Duplicate Title Information
For a vehicle that has been lost before the transfer of ownership, another task must be done. The previous owner must apply for a duplicate title before a new title can be issued.
If the previous owner of the car is deceased, then the personal representative for the deceased individual’s estate can apply for the duplicate title.
That representative must complete the SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title and Registration. Additionally, that representative must submit a copy of the personal representative papers or SFN 2916 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent.
North Dakota does not accept emailed requests for a duplicate car title. Only the original application, signed by the legal owner, is allowed.
The persons who can apply for a duplicate title include: 1. the registered owner, 2. registered owner’s personal representative if the owner is deceased, 3. any dealer or entity that has Power of Attorney for the legal owner, or 4. lien holder.
You can also obtain a duplicate title at any North Dakota, DOT vehicle location.
All branch office locations are able to offer this service except the Williston branch office.
Need more information? Click here!
How to Sell a Car in North Dakota – Getting Duplicate Car Registration
Replacement Plates
In order to get replacement plates, you must fill out and submit SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle.
On the form you must also indicate the reason for the replacements.
You as the owner must also sign the form. There is a $5 fee that must be paid.
North Dakota allows for the same plate number if this is what you choose.
Replacement Decals
For the replacement decals you need, you can fill out and submit SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle.
On this form, you must also state the reason for the replacement decals.
The replacement fee is $3.
Replacement Registration Card
Needing a replacement registration card? You can fill out SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle for that.
You must also write in the reason you are requesting a reason for the replacement.
There is a $2 fee for this.
Click here for additional information from the North Dakota Department of Transportation.
How to Sell a Car in North Dakota –
The Importance of the Odometer Disclosure
The state of North Dakota requires an odometer reading. According to the (TIMA) the seller of a motor vehicle has to provide an odometer disclosure “…to the buyer at the time of sale or transfer of ownership. The buyer must sign in acknowledgment of the mileage disclosure given,” states the North Dakota DOT.
Check out additional information about this important document, during the sale of a vehicle!
When do I need to submit an odometer disclosure?
All rucks with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 16,000 pounds, passenger vehicles, pickup trucks, motor homes, and motorcycles that are less than ten years old need an odometer reading in the state of North Dakota. Click here to view the chart.
Exemptions from the odometer disclosure statement
- Snowmobiles
- All-terrain vehicles
- Duplicate title only
- Vehicles that are not self-propelled
- Any vehicles that are ten-years old or older
- Vehicles with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating over 16,000 pounds.
- Title transfers when at least one of the registered owners is staying the same, except when the title submitted is from out of state.
Required information on the odometer disclosure statement
- The odometer reading at the time of transfer
- Date of transfer
- The year, make, model of the car
- The VIN or the vehicle identification number
- The buyer’s name and address
- Seller’s signature
- Buyer’s signature
- The vehicle mileage at the time of sale/transfer of ownership.
- A certified document that states whether the reading “…represents the actual mileage, mileage in excess of the odometer’s mechanical limits, or does not represent the actual mileage,” as stated by the North Dakota DOT
Click here to read more!
How to Sell A Car in North Dakota – Steps to a Successful Private Sale
Now that you have a good handle on what is required of you, the seller, it's time to get your car in selling mode! Check out this list we compiled of some cool “to dos” to sell your car FAST!
- Gather all of your paperwork. Make sure that you have your car title, duplicate title, registration, odometer disclosure statement or other pertinent paperwork. Not having all that is required for the sale can stifle it. Your North Dakota DOT has the help you need!
- Know the value of your car before selling. You may need to visit the Kelley Blue Book website or even Edmunds to get a “round about value” for your car. While the price offered in these publications may not be exact price you will set for your car, you'll have an understanding.
- Get an assessment of your car. Once you have a good idea of what your car is worth, it's time to get it assessed. So, grab a pen and a notepad! Then, contact a mechanic, and find out what you are selling!
Additional steps that will be appreciated
- Decide how you will sell your car. Are you going to sell your car “as is” or part by part? You should have an answer to this, after your car's assessment.
- Set your price. After deciding how you will sell your car, you have to set your price! You can begin to price your car as a unit, or part by part. For part by part sales, you want to take the time to thoroughly evaluate the condition of each part!
- Make your car attractive! Be sure to take the time to give your car some great curb appeal! You want to wash it and clean it. Take the time to remove all personal objects from it. Spring for a detail job if you can! No one wants a dirty car to purchase!
- Spread the word! Word of mouth is still a great tool to use to sell a car. Your sister may know a co-worker who needs a car. Your uncle may have a fellow mechanic friend that needs a better set of wheels. Get the word out about your car!
- Selling online? Create ads that are cool! We know that you want to sell your car fast, so you want to sell it with your words. For you online sellers out there, this means, writing a great ad, that tells your buyer all about your car.
- Don't forget the vehicle report. You want to show that you are a trustworthy and honest seller. So, offer your perspective buyer a vehicle history report. This report will tell if your vehicle has endured any frame damage, flood damage or other issues. Your potential seller will know all about your car after reading the report. This report may even help to sell your car faster! Buyers will have all of the facts they need!
- Screen your buyers carefully. You want to meet people in person. All transactions need to be safe and secure. You also do not ever want to drive a buyer anywhere to get money.