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
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 arrange inconvenient meetups
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 in Maine?
No. Maine does not require notarization for vehicle title transfers.
Do I keep my license plates after the sale?
Yes. In Maine, you keep your plates and can transfer them to another vehicle or return them to the BMV.
Can I sell my car without a title?
No. You must apply for a replacement using Form MVT-8 before selling.
Is a bill of sale required in Maine?
It’s not required but highly recommended. Use Form MVT-32.
Who pays the sales tax when selling a car?
The buyer is responsible for paying sales tax during registration with the Maine BMV.