Selling your car in Montana doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, or anywhere else in Big Sky Country, this guide walks you through the process to ensure a legal, safe, and straightforward vehicle sale.
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before you sell your vehicle in Montana, make sure you have the following items ready:
- Montana Certificate of Title: Must be properly assigned to the buyer with your signature notarized. Montana requires notarization for private party sales.
- Valid ID: Montana driver’s license or government-issued identification.
- Bill of Sale (Form MV24): Required document that must include date of sale, purchase price, seller and buyer names, and notarized signatures from both parties.
- Odometer Statement: Must be completed on the title if required by federal law.
- Lien Release: If there’s a loan on the vehicle, you’ll need proper lien release documentation on letterhead.
- Security Interest Documentation: Any security interest forms if applicable.
Montana MVD Forms You May Need
Important forms for completing your sale:
- Bill of Sale (Form MV24): Mandatory for private sales with specific information requirements.
- Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle (Form MV1): Used by buyer for title transfers.
- Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form MV7): If original title is lost or damaged.
- Statement of Fact (Form MV100): May be requested by county agent for additional clarification.
Find official forms on the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website.
Sell Your Car in Montana — Fast & Easy
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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.
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 Butte, Helena, Kalispell, Havre, and Miles City.
Step 4: Choose a Selling Method
Here are your main options when selling in Montana:
- Sell to a Car Buying Center (Fastest Option): Skip the notarization requirements, county treasurer paperwork, and 40-day transfer deadlines. 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.
- Private Sale: Might get you a higher price but requires notarized signatures, Form MV24 completion, county treasurer visits, and meeting Montana’s 40-day transfer deadline.
For a fast, no-hassle experience, Ken Ganley Buying Center is the way to go.
Step 5: Get Paid
When you sell privately, there’s always a risk of bounced checks or fake payments. 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 Montana? Local Market Insights to Know
Montana’s vehicle market reflects the state’s rugged terrain, outdoor lifestyle, and practical needs:
- Ford F-150 absolutely dominates Montana, being the undisputed champion due to its towing capacity, off-road prowess, and reliability for navigating diverse terrains
- Trucks reign supreme for hauling camping gear, trailers for weekend getaways to Glacier National Park, and tackling snowy mountain roads
- SUVs are gaining popularity with Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, and Honda CR-V leading the pack for families wanting truck-like utility with car-like comfort
- All-wheel drive is essential due to Montana’s long winters and significant snowfall, making Subaru models particularly popular
- Rugged capability trumps fuel efficiency as Montana’s vast distances and outdoor culture prioritize vehicles that can handle camping, fishing, and off-road adventures
- American muscle cars emerge in summer with classic Mustangs, Dodge Chargers, and modern counterparts popular among enthusiasts
- German luxury has a niche following particularly Audi vehicles due to their AWD offerings and Montana’s appreciation for engineering quality
- Current market conditions show stability with the national average used car price at $25,512 in July 2025, benefiting Montana sellers who often own high-value trucks and SUVs
Montana’s unique geography and lifestyle create strong demand for capable, durable vehicles that can handle Big Sky Country’s challenges.
Ready to Sell Your Car in Montana?
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 Montana sell their cars with ease.
Need help selling your car in Montana? Here are some quick answers
Do I need to have signatures notarized when selling my car in Montana?
Yes, Montana requires notarization of the seller’s signature for private party sales. All owners listed on the title must sign over the title in front of a notary public when transferring ownership. However, notarization is not required for companies or LLCs signing off a Montana title. The seller can have their signature notarized without the buyer being present, but the buyer must also sign the title. Montana provides an online notary locator to help you find authorized notaries by city. The signature must be acknowledged before a county treasurer, deputy, or other authorized official to complete the legal transfer of ownership.
How long does the buyer have to complete the title transfer in Montana?
The buyer has 40 days from the sale date to transfer ownership and register the vehicle. This is done by applying for the title and registering the vehicle at the County Treasurer’s office in the buyer’s county of residence. Montana law requires vehicles to be both titled and registered simultaneously – you cannot title a vehicle without also registering it. If the buyer waits longer than 40 days to complete the transfer, they will be charged a late fee of $10. This 40-day deadline is strictly enforced and designed to ensure prompt completion of ownership transfers and proper tax collection.
Is a bill of sale required for private car sales in Montana?
Yes, Form MV24 (Bill of Sale) is required for private party sales in Montana. This document must include the date of sale, purchase price, seller and buyer names, vehicle identification information (VIN), odometer reading, and notarized signatures from both parties. The bill of sale serves multiple purposes: it provides legal protection for both parties, documents the transaction details, and is required for the buyer to complete the registration process. You can find Form MV24 on the Montana Motor Vehicle Division website, and it must be completed accurately with no White-Out or corrections that could void the document.
Does Montana charge sales tax on private vehicle sales?
No, Montana has no statewide sales tax on vehicle purchases. Montana is one of only five states in the U.S. without a state sales tax, which means both new and used vehicle purchases are exempt from sales tax whether bought from dealers or private parties. This makes Montana an attractive state for vehicle purchases, as buyers can save thousands of dollars compared to other states. However, buyers still must pay registration fees, title transfer fees ($10.30), and any applicable county option taxes. The absence of sales tax is offset by Montana’s higher income tax rates and property taxes.
What should I do if I've lost my Montana vehicle title?
You must apply for a replacement title using Form MV7 before you can sell your vehicle. Complete the Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form MV7) and submit it with a $10.30 duplicate title fee to the Montana Vehicle Services Bureau at P.O. Box 201431, Helena, MT 59620-1431, or visit your local County Treasurer’s office. Replacement titles can take up to four weeks to receive, so plan accordingly if you’re planning to sell your vehicle. You cannot legally complete a vehicle sale without providing the proper title to the buyer. If you’re in a hurry to sell, you’ll need to wait for the replacement title to arrive before proceeding.
Can I sell my car if my lender still holds the title in Montana?
Yes, but you’ll need to coordinate with your lender to obtain the title. If your lender holds the title, you’ll need to complete Form MV63 (Request for Foreign Title Transfer) and send it to your lender. The lender must then send the original title along with a $4.12 fee to Montana for the title transfer. Additionally, you must provide the buyer with a lien release document on the lender’s letterhead showing that the loan has been satisfied. If you still owe money on the vehicle, you’ll need to either pay off the loan before the sale or coordinate with the buyer and lender for the payoff to occur at the time of sale.
Do I need to register and title the vehicle simultaneously in Montana?
Yes, Montana requires vehicles to be both titled and registered at the same time. You cannot title a vehicle without also registering it under Montana law. This means that when the buyer completes the ownership transfer, they must pay both the title transfer fee ($10.30) and registration fees simultaneously at the County Treasurer’s office. Registration fees vary based on the vehicle’s age and type – newer vehicles pay higher fees (around $217 for vehicles under 4 years old), while vehicles 5-10 years old pay around $87. Vehicles 11 years and older may qualify for permanent registration, eliminating the need for annual renewals.
What happens to my license plates when I sell my car in Montana?
You should remove your license plates before completing the sale. Montana license plates stay with the seller and should not be transferred to the buyer, even for gifts. The new owner will need to obtain new Montana plates during their registration process at the County Treasurer’s office. If you have personalized or specialty plates that you want to transfer to the buyer, you must complete a Statement of Fact (Form MV100) to relinquish all rights to those plates, but this is not common practice. For the smoothest transaction, it’s recommended that you accompany the buyer to the County Treasurer’s office where you can sign off as the seller, and they can immediately complete the title transfer and obtain new plates.