Thinking about selling your car in North Dakota? Whether you’re in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, or Williston’s booming oil fields, this guide breaks down the entire process, from paperwork and pricing to getting paid, with North Dakota-specific rules and tips to make everything easy.
Sell My Car in North Dakota: 5 Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before you sell your vehicle in North Dakota, make sure you have the following items ready:
- North Dakota Certificate of Title: Must be properly signed by both seller and buyer. North Dakota requires signatures to be completed correctly to avoid title complications.
- Valid ID: North Dakota driver’s license or government-issued identification for verification.
- Application for Certificate of Title & Registration (Form SFN 2872): Primary form used for title transfers, available at NDDOT offices.
- Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609): Required for vehicles less than 9 years old. Must be signed by both buyer and seller.
- Bill of Sale: Required by North Dakota state law for all vehicle transfers.
- Odometer Disclosure: Required for vehicles under 10 years old – can be included on title or separate form.
- Lien Release: If applicable, proper documentation showing the loan is satisfied.
North Dakota NDDOT Forms You May Need
Important forms for completing your sale:
- Form SFN 2872: Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle
- Form SFN 18609: Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement for vehicles under 9 years
- Form SFN 2888: Seller’s Certificate and Vehicle Bill of Sale (recommended)
Find official forms on the North Dakota Department of Transportation website.
Sell Your Car in North Dakota — Fast & Easy
Get a real offer in minutes
instead of waiting days for responses
Get your car’s true value
trustworthy, no guessing, no back-and-forth
We’ll handle the handoff
no need to worry about NDDOT inspections or form complications
Step 2: Prepare the Vehicle for Sale
While a clean and well-maintained car may increase your offer, it’s not required.
At Ken Ganley Buying Center, we buy cars as-is — no detailing, no fixing, and no stress. Just a fast, no-obligation offer.
In North Dakota’s booming economy, buyers want reliable vehicles that can handle everything from oil field work around Williston to farming operations across the state’s vast agricultural landscape. Whether your car has served you through harsh prairie winters or long commutes between Minot and Bismarck, we value dependability over appearance.
Step 3: Determine Your Car’s Value
Before accepting any offer, check your car’s current market value:
- Use Our Instant Appraisal Tool: Get a quote in under 2 minutes.
- KBB, Edmunds, or NADA: Compare your vehicle’s value by mileage, features, and condition.
- Look at Local Listings: Check what similar cars are going for in cities like Fargo, Grand Forks, Dickinson, West Fargo, and throughout the Bakken region.
North Dakota’s unique economy creates strong vehicle demand. Oil industry workers earning $80,000+ starting salaries need reliable transportation, while the state’s 90% agricultural coverage drives consistent demand for practical, durable vehicles.
Step 4: Choose a Selling Method
Here are your main options when selling in North Dakota:
- Sell to a Car Buying Center (Fastest Option): Skip the NDDOT office visits, vehicle inspections, and long drives across North Dakota’s vast distances. We handle everything and offer same-day payment.
- Trade-In at a Dealership: Convenient if you’re buying another vehicle, but expect lower trade-in values. Limited dealership options in rural areas.
- Private Sale: Might get you a higher price but requires completing Form SFN 2872, arranging vehicle inspections, ensuring proper documentation, and dealing with buyers potentially hundreds of miles away.
For a fast, no-hassle experience, Ken Ganley Buying Center is the way to go.
Step 5: Get Paid
When you sell privately in North Dakota’s remote areas, there’s always a risk of bounced checks, fake payments, or buyers backing out after long drives. With us, you’ll receive secure, verified same-day payment — no guesswork, no stress.
We take care of the entire process so you can walk away with confidence and cash in hand.
What Affects Car Values in North Dakota? Bakken Boom & Prairie Practicality
North Dakota’s vehicle market reflects the state’s booming energy sector and deep agricultural roots:
- Ford F-150 dominates the Peace Garden State, serving oil field workers earning $80K+ salaries and farmers needing reliable hauling capacity across the nation’s most rural state
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 rules rural areas with proven durability for agricultural demands and energy sector work in the Bakken formation
- 4WD capability essential for navigating harsh prairie winters and accessing remote oil drilling sites throughout western North Dakota
- Work truck premium exists as the oil industry creates massive demand for heavy-duty vehicles capable of extreme conditions and long hauls
- Distance reliability crucial with some areas having hundreds of miles between towns, making dependable transportation a necessity
- Toyota and Honda maintain strong presence in urban areas like Fargo and Bismarck for their proven reliability and fuel efficiency
- High vehicle ownership rates – North Dakotans own approximately 2 vehicles per licensed driver, among the highest in the nation
- Oil boom resilience despite economic cycles, energy sector continues driving vehicle demand with $42.6 billion annual economic impact
- Agricultural backbone with 90% farmland creating steady need for utility vehicles, especially pickup trucks during harvest seasons
- Winter preparedness significantly impacts value – vehicles with proven cold-weather reliability and features command premium pricing
- Current market shows strong demand for reliable vehicles as both oil and agriculture sectors maintain robust employment levels
North Dakota’s unique combination of energy wealth and agricultural tradition creates exceptional demand for dependable, hardworking vehicles.
Ready to Sell Your Car in North Dakota?
No games. No waiting. Just a real offer and a simple process with Ken Ganley Buying Center.
Start with a free appraisal online or call us today at 330-427-3656.
We help drivers across North Dakota sell their cars with ease — from the Red River Valley to the Badlands.
Need help selling your car in North Dakota? Here are some quick answers
How much does title transfer cost in North Dakota?
Just $5 for the title transfer fee, plus registration costs based on your vehicle’s weight. This is significantly lower than many neighboring states. Vehicle registration fees in North Dakota are calculated based on the year the vehicle was first registered and its weight. Additionally, the buyer will pay a 5% excise or sales tax during registration, and may need to pay a $1.50 abandoned motor vehicle disposal fee if applicable.
Do I need an inspection to sell my car?
All used cars that must be re-titled require a vehicle inspection in North Dakota. Inspections must be performed at a state qualified business registered with the ND secretary of state to offer motor vehicle repairs to the public. The inspector will complete a Certificate of Vehicle Inspection form SFN 2486, and provide it to you for submission along with your application for title and registration. Inspection fees vary by location, so it’s recommended to call ahead to confirm pricing.
What if I lost my title?
Apply for a duplicate using Form SFN 2872 with a $5 fee. Processing takes one week if applied for in person, two weeks if requested by mail. If you discover the original title after the duplicate has been issued, you must surrender the original title to the NDDOT. The duplicate title application can be submitted at any NDDOT Motor Vehicle Division office.
Is a bill of sale required?
Yes, North Dakota law requires a bill of sale for all vehicle transfers. You’ll need to obtain a Seller’s Certificate and Bill of Sale (NDDOT form SFN 2888) signed and notarized by the seller. While you can create your own bill of sale document, using the state-provided Form SFN 2888 is recommended as it ensures all required information is included and provides legal protection for both parties.
Do I need to report the sale to NDDOT?
No, private sellers don’t report sales to NDDOT. The buyer handles registration and tax payments directly with the state. However, if the seller is a private individual, they don’t have to report the sale to the MVD as they don’t collect the excise tax from buyers. The seller also doesn’t have to facilitate the buyer’s registration. This differs from some other states where notification is required.
What's the difference between Form SFN 2872 and SFN 2888?
Form SFN 2872 is the title application the buyer uses. Form SFN 2888 is the recommended bill of sale form that protects both buyer and seller. Form SFN 2872 (Application for Certificate of Title & Registration) is the primary form used for title transfers and must be completed by the buyer, while Form SFN 2888 (Seller’s Certificate and Vehicle Bill of Sale) serves as proof of the transaction and should be signed by the seller in the presence of a notary.
How do I handle license plates when selling my car?
When selling a vehicle in North Dakota, sellers have specific responsibilities regarding the vehicle’s license plates and registration. The North Dakota MVD requires sellers to remove the vehicle’s license plates and registration certificates before transferring ownership to the buyer. After removing these items, sellers must return them to the North Dakota MVD. No fees are involved in returning the license plates, and this step protects sellers from potential liabilities associated with the vehicle after it’s sold.
What if there's a lien on my vehicle?
You’ll need a lien release from your lender before completing the sale. The lienholder must sign the appropriate section of the title or provide a separate release document. Form SFN 2876 will need to be completed and have a notarized signature by an authorized agent of your lienholder for the lien release to be official. Once the lien is cleared, the seller must provide the new owner (buyer) with the Release of Lien by Legal Owner (SFN 2876) form. This process ensures clear title transfer to the buyer.