Thinking about selling your car in Mississippi? Whether you’re in Jackson, Biloxi, Gulfport, or Tupelo, this guide breaks down the entire process, from paperwork and pricing to getting paid, with Mississippi-specific rules and tips to make everything easy.
Sell My Car in Mississippi: 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:
- Mississippi Certificate of Title: Must be in your name and properly filled out. The title assignment must be completed by the seller and notarized before transfer.
- Valid ID: A Mississippi driver’s license or government-issued ID is required for the title transfer.
- Odometer Disclosure: Required for vehicles under 10 years old. This may be completed on the title or as a separate declaration.
- Bill of Sale (Recommended): While not always mandatory, a bill of sale helps document the transaction details and protects both parties.
- Lien Release (if applicable): You must provide this if the vehicle was financed and the loan has been paid off.
- Current Registration Certificate: Helpful for completing the transfer process.
Mississippi Department of Revenue Forms You May Need
Mississippi vehicle sales may involve these forms:
- Form 78-002 – Application for Mississippi Title and License
- Form 78-003 – Power of Attorney to Transfer Motor Vehicle (if using a representative)
- Odometer Declaration (if needed as separate document)
All forms are available through the Mississippi Department of Revenue or your local county tax collector’s office.
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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. Mississippi’s Gulf Coast humidity and occasional severe weather can affect vehicle condition, so addressing any rust or storm 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 Mississippi. Compare listings in Jackson, Biloxi, Gulfport, Tupelo, Hattiesburg, and Meridian 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 hassles. 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. This requires finding a notary and coordinating with the buyer.
Want speed and peace of mind? Choose Ken Ganley Buying Center.
Step 5: Get Paid
Mississippi’s notarization requirement adds a step to private sales, but also creates 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 coordination. Just a reliable process and peace of mind.
What Affects Car Values in Mississippi? Local Market Insights to Know
Mississippi’s unique geography and economy create specific automotive preferences that affect resale value:
- Gulf Coast considerations: Mississippi’s coastal areas see high demand for vehicles that can handle salt air and occasional hurricane conditions. Rust-resistant vehicles and those with higher ground clearance hold value better near the coast.
- Pickup truck dominance: Mississippi’s strong agricultural and construction sectors drive consistently high demand for pickup trucks and work vehicles throughout the state.
- Affordability focus: Mississippi’s economic profile means fuel-efficient, reliable vehicles with lower maintenance costs are particularly valued by buyers.
- Casino and tourism influence: The Gulf Coast’s casino industry and tourism create demand for reliable commuter vehicles and some luxury cars in areas like Biloxi and Gulfport.
- Hurricane preparedness: Vehicles with reliable starting systems, higher ground clearance, and good emergency features are preferred due to Mississippi’s hurricane exposure.
- Rural vs. urban preferences: Rural areas favor trucks and SUVs for practical needs, while urban areas like Jackson show growing interest in fuel-efficient sedans and compact SUVs.
- Military presence: Keesler Air Force Base and other military installations create a market for reliable, well-maintained vehicles among military families.
- Classic car culture: Mississippi hosts events like “Cruisin’ the Coast” in Biloxi, indicating strong classic and collector car interest along the Gulf Coast.
Knowing what sells in your area helps maximize your offer.
Ready to Sell Your Car in Mississippi?
Selling your vehicle shouldn’t be a hassle, especially when you’re dealing with Mississippi’s notarization requirements. 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 Mississippi, no matter where you are.
Need help selling your car in Mississippi? Here are some quick answers
Do I need to notarize the title when selling my car in Mississippi?
Yes, Mississippi requires the seller’s signature to be notarized on the title. The title assignment section on the back of your title must be completed by you as the seller and then notarized before you can legally transfer ownership to the buyer. This is different from some states where notarization isn’t required. You’ll need to bring valid identification to the notary, and both you and the buyer should be present during the title signing process. Make sure to use black or blue ink when filling out the title, and avoid any white-out, erasures, or corrections, as these can void the document.
What happens to my license plates after I sell my car in Mississippi?
License plates stay with the seller in Mississippi and cannot be transferred to the buyer. When you sell your vehicle, you must remove the license plates before transferring ownership. The buyer will need to apply for new license plates when they register the vehicle in their name at the county tax collector’s office. Standard Mississippi license plates cost $10. You should contact your local county tax collector about proper procedures for your old plates – some may need to be returned, while others can be kept by you for potential transfer to another vehicle you own.
Is a bill of sale required when selling a car in Mississippi?
A bill of sale is not always mandatory in Mississippi, but it’s highly recommended. You only need a bill of sale if there’s no space on the title to record the purchase price. However, even when not required, a bill of sale protects both you and the buyer by documenting the transaction details. The official Mississippi bill of sale is Form 78013188. The bill of sale should include the buyer’s name and address, sale date, vehicle price, odometer reading, both parties’ signatures, and detailed vehicle information including VIN, make, model, and year. Note that the bill of sale itself does not require notarization, unlike the title.
Can I sell my car in Mississippi without having the title in hand?
No, you cannot legally sell your car without the title. Mississippi law requires the physical title for any vehicle sale. If you’ve lost, damaged, or misplaced your title, you must apply for a duplicate before proceeding with the sale. You can get a replacement title by completing Form 78-006 and paying a $9 fee at your county tax collector’s office. Standard processing takes 3-4 weeks. If you need the title faster, you can use the Fast Track service by completing Form 78-026 and paying an additional $30 fee ($39 total) to receive your duplicate title within 72 hours of the application being received by the Department of Revenue.
How much sales tax does the buyer pay when purchasing my car in Mississippi?
The buyer pays 5% sales tax on private vehicle purchases in Mississippi. This tax is calculated based on the vehicle’s true value using the most current official motor vehicle assessment schedule from the Department of Revenue, not necessarily the sale price you agree upon. If you try to artificially lower the reported sale price to reduce taxes, the Mississippi DOR can use the car’s fair market value instead. Some cities may add up to 1% additional local sales tax, making the total rate up to 6% in certain areas like Meridian, Columbus, and parts of Hinds County. The buyer pays this tax when registering the vehicle at the county tax collector’s office.
What forms do I need from the Mississippi Department of Revenue for selling my car?
The main forms you may need include Form 78-002 (Application for Mississippi Title and License) and potentially Form 78013188 (official bill of sale). The buyer will use Form 78-002 when transferring the title to their name. If there’s a lien on your vehicle that’s been paid off, you’ll need to provide a lien release document. For vehicles under 10 years old, an odometer disclosure statement is required, which may be completed on the title itself or as a separate Form 78-015. If you’re selling to a family member (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild), an Affidavit of Relationship is recommended though not required. All forms are available through the Mississippi Department of Revenue website or your local county tax collector’s office.
Do I need to notify the Mississippi DMV after selling my car?
Mississippi doesn’t have a traditional DMV, and seller notification isn’t required. Vehicle services are handled by the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) and county tax collectors. Unlike some states, Mississippi doesn’t require sellers to notify any state agency after completing a sale. Your responsibility ends when you properly complete and notarize the title assignment section and provide all necessary documentation to the buyer. However, you should remove your license plates and contact your insurance company to cancel or modify your coverage. The buyer is responsible for registering the vehicle in their name within 7 business days of purchase.
What should I do if there's still a lien on my car title when I want to sell it?
You must obtain a lien release before selling your vehicle in Mississippi. If your car loan is paid off but the lien hasn’t been removed, contact your lender to get a lien release letter or document. If you still owe money on the loan, you’ll need to pay it off first or coordinate with the buyer and lender for the payoff at the time of sale. For vehicles being sold while under lien, you may need to complete Form 78010178 (Affidavit of Sale Under Lien). The lienholder must release their interest in the vehicle before the sale can be legally completed. Never attempt to sell a vehicle with an active lien without proper documentation, as this can create legal complications for both you and the buyer.