Are you thinking of selling your car in North Carolina? Whether you’re in Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, or a small mountain town in the west, this guide explains exactly how to navigate the selling process legally, securely, and stress-free.
Sell a Car in North Carolina – Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before listing your vehicle or requesting an appraisal, make sure you have the following:
- North Carolina Certificate of Title: The title must be in your name, and all lienholders must be released. Both buyer and seller must complete the title accurately.
- Valid ID: A North Carolina driver’s license or state-issued ID is typically required.
- Odometer Disclosure: Required for vehicles under 10 years old, either on the title or a separate form.
- Damage Disclosure Statement: Required in North Carolina for vehicles less than five years old.
- Bill of Sale (Optional): This is not required by law but is recommended for documentation purposes.
- Lien Release (if applicable): If you paid off a loan, you’ll need to provide a lien release document.
North Carolina DMV Forms You May Need
The following forms may be required depending on your situation:
- Form MVR-1 – Title Application (used by the buyer)
- Form MVR-180 – Odometer Disclosure Statement (if not completed on the title)
- Form MVR-4 – Notarized Bill of Sale (optional, but helpful for documentation)
- Form MVR-3 – Duplicate Title Application (if the original is lost)
Find these and other forms on the North Carolina DMV website.
Sell Your Car in North Carolina — 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
A well-maintained, clean car can bring more value, but not everyone has time to prep for photos or repairs, and that’s okay.
At Ken Ganley Buying Center, we buy cars as-is. There is no cleaning, no repairs, and no worries. Just a fast, no-pressure offer and a smooth process.
Step 3: Determine Your Car’s Value
Before agreeing to an offer, know what your car is worth:
- Use Our Free Appraisal Tool: Get a fast, no-obligation quote in under 2 minutes.
- Check KBB, Edmunds, or NADA: These are great resources for comparing resale value by condition and mileage.
- Compare Local Listings: See what similar vehicles are selling for in Greensboro, Wilmington, Fayetteville, and Asheville.
Step 4: Choose a Selling Method
You have multiple ways to sell your car in North Carolina:
- Sell to a Car Buying Center (Best for Convenience): Get a firm offer, and we handle the paperwork. No meetups, no title confusion, no scams.
- Trade It In at a Dealership: May be convenient if you’re buying another vehicle, but the offer might be lower.
- Private Sale: Requires managing listings, meeting strangers, handling paperwork, and dealing with potential no-shows or fraud.
Selling to Ken Ganley Buying Center is fast, secure, and handled by professionals.
Step 5: Get Paid
Worried about getting scammed? Skip the risky payment apps and bad checks.
With Ken Ganley Buying Center, you’ll receive secure, same-day payment through verified methods. We take care of everything so you can walk away with confidence.
What Affects Car Values in North Carolina? Local Market Insights to Know
From the coast to the mountains, car preferences vary across the state:
- SUVs and AWD vehicles are popular in mountain and rural areas like Boone or Hendersonville.
- Fuel-efficient sedans and hybrids are favored in cities like Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.
- Pickup trucks hold strong resale value across the state, especially in suburban and agricultural regions.
- North Carolina’s vehicle registration makeup: about 36.6% cars, 34.7% SUVs/UVs, and 21.8% pickups, underscoring the broad appeal and market importance of trucks and SUVs
These trends can impact how much your car is worth, depending on where you’re selling it.
Ready to Sell Your Car in North Carolina?
We make selling your vehicle fast and painless. No games. No middlemen. Just real offers and professional support from start to finish.
Start your free appraisal online or call us today at 330-427-3656.
Sell your car anywhere in North Carolina — the easy way.
Need help selling your car in North Carolina? Here are some quick answers
Do I need to notarize the title in North Carolina?
Yes. The seller’s signature must be notarized on the title at the time of sale.
What happens to my license plates after the sale?
You must remove your plates. In North Carolina, license plates stay with the seller and must be returned to the DMV or transferred to another vehicle.
Can I sell a car without a title?
No. You’ll need to request a duplicate title using Form MVR-3 before completing the sale.
Is a bill of sale required?
It’s not required by law but is highly recommended to document the transaction.
Who pays the sales tax?
The buyer is responsible for paying sales tax when they register the vehicle.