Thinking about selling your car in Louisiana? Whether you’re in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, or Lafayette, this guide breaks down the entire process, from paperwork and pricing to getting paid, with Louisiana-specific rules and tips to make everything easy.
Sell My Car in Louisiana: 5 Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before you list or sell your vehicle, be sure to have the following documents ready:
- Louisiana Certificate of Title: Must be in your name and properly filled out. IMPORTANT: Louisiana requires the title to be notarized by both buyer and seller before transfer.
- Valid ID: A Louisiana driver’s license or government-issued ID is required for the title transfer.
- Notarized Bill of Sale: Unlike many states, Louisiana requires a notarized bill of sale for all vehicle transactions.
- Odometer Disclosure: Required for vehicles under 10 years old. This must be completed on a separate form or integrated into the title.
- Lien Release (if applicable): You must provide this if the vehicle was financed and the loan has been paid off.
- Current Registration Certificate: Required to complete the transfer process.
Louisiana OMV Forms You May Need
Louisiana vehicle sales may involve these forms:
- Form DPSMV 1799 – Application for Title (used by the buyer to register the vehicle)
- Form DPSMV 1697 – Notice of Transfer of Vehicle (must be submitted within 40 days of sale)
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (if needed as separate document)
All forms are available through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).
Sell Your Car in Louisiana — Fast & Easy
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Step 2: Prepare the Vehicle for Sale
Want to get top dollar? Clean your vehicle, gather maintenance records, and fix small issues. Louisiana’s humid climate can be tough on vehicles, so addressing any rust or moisture damage can help your value.
But if you don’t have the time or patience, we’ve got a better solution.
At Ken Ganley Buying Center, we buy cars in any condition — no cleaning, no fixing, no stress. Just request a quick offer and sell your vehicle as-is.
Step 3: Determine Your Car’s Value
Understanding your car’s market value helps you price it right:
Use Our Free Appraisal Tool: Get an instant quote in under 2 minutes.
Kelley Blue Book: Helps assess value based on mileage, condition, and features.
Edmunds or NADA: Use these to see depreciation trends and current market pricing.
Values vary across Louisiana. Compare listings in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lake Charles, and Monroe to see what similar vehicles are going for.
Step 4: Choose a Selling Method
There’s more than one way to sell your car. Here’s how they compare:
Sell to a Car Buying Center (Fastest & Easiest): No meetups, no haggling, and no notarization stress. We give you a fair offer and handle the transfer.
Trade In at a Dealership: Dealers offer trade-in credit, but values are often tied to buying something from their lot.
Private Sale: You’ll handle everything, including ads, buyers, payments, notarization, and title transfer. While this is possible, it can be time-consuming and requires finding a notary for both parties.
Want speed and peace of mind? Choose Ken Ganley Buying Center.
Step 5: Get Paid
Louisiana has unique requirements, but that also means unique opportunities for scams. When you sell to Ken Ganley Buying Center, you get secure, verified payment — often on the same day.
No bouncing checks. No shady apps. No notary appointment headaches. Just a reliable process and peace of mind.
What Affects Car Values in Louisiana? Local Market Insights to Know
Louisiana’s unique geography and culture create specific automotive preferences that affect resale value:
Trucks and SUVs dominate: Louisiana’s oil industry, fishing culture, and rural areas drive high demand for pickup trucks and SUVs, especially those with towing capacity.
Flood damage concerns: Louisiana’s hurricane and flooding history makes buyers particularly cautious about water damage. Clean history reports are especially valuable here.
Humidity resistance matters: Vehicles with good rust protection and leather seats (which handle humidity better than cloth) tend to hold value better in Louisiana’s climate.
Fuel efficiency in urban areas: In New Orleans and Baton Rouge, commuters increasingly prefer fuel-efficient vehicles due to longer commute times and traffic congestion.
Outdoor recreation vehicles: Louisiana’s hunting, fishing, and boating culture means 4WD vehicles, trucks with bed liners, and SUVs with roof racks are particularly valuable.
Hurricane preparedness: Vehicles with higher ground clearance and reliable starting systems are preferred due to seasonal flooding concerns.
Knowing what sells in your area helps maximize your offer.
Ready to Sell Your Car in Louisiana?
Selling your vehicle shouldn’t be a hassle, especially when you’re dealing with Louisiana’s notarization requirements and paperwork. Skip the classifieds, strangers, and stress. Get a real offer from Ken Ganley Buying Center, fast.
Get your free instant offer now or call 330-427-3656 to talk with a team member today.
We make it easy to sell your car in Louisiana, no matter where you are.
Need Help Selling Your Car in Louisiana? Here are some quick answers
Do I need to notarize the title in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana requires both buyer and seller signatures to be notarized on the title before transfer.
What happens to my plates after I sell the car?
License plates stay with the seller. You can transfer them to another vehicle or return them to the Louisiana OMV.
Is a bill of sale required in Louisiana?
Yes, Louisiana requires a notarized bill of sale for all vehicle transactions.
Can I sell my car without the title in hand?
No. You must request a duplicate title from the OMV before proceeding with the sale.
Do I pay sales tax when I sell a car?
No. The buyer is responsible for sales tax when registering the vehicle.
How long do I have to notify the OMV after selling?
You must submit the Notice of Transfer form within 40 days of the sale.