Selling your car in Maine? Whether you’re in Portland, Bangor, Augusta, or a coastal town, this step-by-step guide will help you complete the process legally, safely, and efficiently.
Sell a Car in Maine – Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Make sure you have all necessary documents before starting the sale:
- Maine Certificate of Title: The title must be in your name and signed by both you and the buyer. Any liens must be satisfied and released.
- Valid Identification: Typically, a Maine driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID.
- Odometer Disclosure: Required for vehicles under 10 years old; usually completed on the back of the title.
- Bill of Sale (Recommended): Includes buyer/seller info, vehicle details, price, and signatures.
- Lien Release (if applicable): Provided by your lender if there was a loan on the vehicle.
Maine BMV Forms You May Need
Depending on your situation, you may need the following forms:
- MVT-32 – Bill of Sale (optional but helpful)
- MVT-8 – Application for Duplicate Title
- Odometer Disclosure Statement – If the title does not provide space
- Notice of Sale – Optional for your own recordkeeping
Find these forms at the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles website.
Sell Your Car in Maine — Fast & Easy
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Step 2: Prepare the Vehicle for Sale
Getting your car ready can impact how fast it sells and how much you get. A clean, well-kept vehicle makes a better first impression and draws more interest.
That said, not everyone has the time or resources to clean, fix, or prepare a vehicle. If you’re in a hurry to sell or simply don’t want to deal with the extra effort, you can always sell your car as-is. Contact us, and we’ll make you an offer. No prep work is required.
Step 3: Determine Your Car’s Value
Know what your vehicle is worth before accepting an offer:
- Use Our Free Appraisal Tool: Get a quote in under 2 minutes.
- Compare Values Using KBB, Edmunds, or NADA: Use tools based on mileage, condition, and location.
- Check Local Listings: Look at prices for similar vehicles in Lewiston, Auburn, Biddeford, South Portland, and Sanford.
Step 4: Choose a Selling Method
You have options when selling your car in Maine:
- Sell to a Car Buying Center (Quickest and Easiest): Get a real offer with no hassle. We’ll handle the paperwork and pay you the same day.
- Trade-In at a Dealership: Ideal if you’re getting another car but might result in a lower offer.
- Private Sale: Could get you more money but requires more effort, communication, and document handling.
At Ken Ganley Buying Center, we make the process fast, safe, and professional.
Step 5: Get Paid
Avoid the risks of private payments and buyer no-shows. We provide secure, same-day payment and complete all necessary paperwork.
No scams, no guesswork — just a smooth, reliable process.
What Affects Car Values in Maine? Local Market Insights to Know
Maine’s rugged landscape and seasonal climate impact what vehicles are in demand:
- All-wheel drive (AWD) and 4WD vehicles are popular due to snow and rural roads.
- Fuel-efficient vehicles are common in southern cities with longer commutes.
- Rust-free cars tend to be more valuable in regions where winter road salt causes corrosion.
- Maine’s heavy use of road salt during winter is a major contributor to undercarriage and body panel corrosion. Cars with well-documented undercoating and minimal rust, especially those from inland or southern areas, are noticeably more valuable to local buyers. Rust can reduce a car’s resale value by 10–20%, or even more if structural components are affected. Buyers pay a premium for vehicles with rust protection or a proven rust-free history, and sellers in regions less exposed to salt can expect higher prices
Regional preferences and seasonality make a difference in pricing.
Ready to Sell Your Car in Maine?
Ken Ganley Buying Center simplifies the process with fast, fair offers and zero hassle.
Start your appraisal online or call us at 330-427-3656.
We help car owners across Maine sell quickly, easily, and confidently.
Need help selling your car in Maine? Here are some quick answers
Do I need to notarize the title when selling my car in Maine?
No, Maine does not require notarization for vehicle title transfers. This makes Maine simpler than many neighboring states. Both buyer and seller simply need to complete and sign the relevant sections on the title using black or blue ink only. However, avoid using white-out, erasing, or making any alterations, as these can invalidate the title. Always use full legal names and write neatly to prevent processing issues.
Do I keep my license plates after the sale in Maine?
Yes, in Maine you keep your plates and can transfer them to another vehicle or return them to the BMV. You must remove your plates before handing over the vehicle to prevent liability for future violations. For complete protection, consider completing Form MVR-60 (Plate Cancellation Request), which officially cancels your license plates. Note that this form must be notarized to be valid, making it one of the few documents in Maine’s car selling process that requires notarization.
Can I sell my car without a title in Maine?
No, you must apply for a replacement using Form MVT-8 before selling. Maine requires titles for vehicles model year 1995 and newer (some sources indicate 1999 and newer). The duplicate title costs $33, with an optional $10 rush fee for expedited processing. You can request a duplicate title online or by mailing Form MVT-8. If a previous title was recently issued, the Secretary of State will wait 15 days before issuing the duplicate title for security purposes.
Is a bill of sale required when selling a car in Maine?
It’s not required by law but highly recommended for legal protection. Use Form MVT-32 for the official Maine bill of sale template. The bill of sale should include the VIN, year, make, model, seller’s and buyer’s names, addresses, phone numbers, sale price, and date. This document protects both parties and serves as proof that ownership has legally changed hands, which can be crucial for liability purposes.
Who pays the sales tax when selling a car in Maine?
The buyer is responsible for paying both Maine’s 5.5% sales tax and municipal excise tax during registration. The buyer must first visit their local town office to pay the excise tax before they can register the vehicle with the BMV. The excise tax is calculated based on the vehicle’s MSRP and age using a mill rate system. Some towns participate in “Rapid Renewal” programs that allow online payment of both excise tax and registration in one transaction.
What happens to my registration and plates after selling?
Remove your license plates immediately after the sale – this is your responsibility as the seller. Cancel your vehicle insurance promptly to avoid paying for coverage on a car you no longer own. You can transfer your plates to another vehicle or return them to the BMV. The buyer will need to obtain new registration and plates by visiting their local town office for excise tax payment, then the BMV for registration and title transfer.
What if there's still a lien on my vehicle in Maine?
If a lien is listed on your title, you must resolve it before selling. The lienholder has 10 days to execute a release of the lien and notify the Secretary of State once the loan is paid off. If BMV records still show a lien that has been satisfied, request that your lienholder complete Form MVT-12 (Release of Lien) and submit it to the BMV. You cannot legally sell the vehicle until the lien is properly released and the title shows clear ownership.
What forms does the buyer need to complete the transfer?
The buyer needs the properly signed title, a bill of sale, proof of Maine insurance, and payment for applicable fees. They must first visit their local town office to pay excise tax (bringing the MSRP sticker for new vehicles), then visit the BMV with the white and yellow copies of their registration application and excise tax receipt. The BMV charges a $33 title application fee for vehicles 25 years old and newer, plus $35 for passenger vehicle registration, plus the 5.5% sales tax on the purchase price.