Selling your car in Vermont? Whether you’re in Burlington, Montpelier, Rutland, or the Green Mountains, this guide will walk you through the necessary steps to legally and safely sell your vehicle in the state.
Sell a Car in Vermont – Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
Before you sell your car, make sure you have the following paperwork:
- Vermont Certificate of Title: Must be in your name and include the buyer’s and seller’s signatures. If there’s a lien, it must be released before selling.
- Valid Identification: A Vermont driver’s license or other government-issued ID is typically used.
- Odometer Disclosure Statement: Required for vehicles under 10 years old.
- Bill of Sale (VT-005): Required by the Vermont DMV to document the sale.
- Lien Release (if applicable): Issued by your lender if there was a loan on the vehicle.
Vermont DMV Forms You May Need
Here are some key documents you may need:
- Form VT-005 – Bill of Sale (required)
- Form TA-VT-04 – Odometer Disclosure Statement
- Form TA-VT-04R – Replacement Title Application (if the original is lost)
You can download all forms from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles website.
Sell Your Car in Vermont — 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
Do your research before accepting an offer:
- Use Our Free Appraisal Tool: Get an instant offer in under 2 minutes.
- Use KBB, Edmunds, or NADA Guides: Assess market value by inputting your car’s details.
- Browse Local Listings: Compare prices in South Burlington, Barre, St. Albans, Brattleboro, and Middlebury.
Step 4: Choose a Selling Method
Sellers in Vermont typically have three main options:
- Sell to a Car Buying Center (Fastest & Easiest): We offer a fair, no-pressure quote and handle all the paperwork.
- Trade-In at a Dealership: Convenient if you’re buying another car but might result in a lower price.
- Private Sale: Could net you more money, but involves more time, effort, and risk.
At Ken Ganley Buying Center, we take care of everything so you don’t have to.
Step 5: Get Paid
Don’t take chances with sketchy buyers or payment delays. We provide secure same-day payment and ensure all paperwork is completed properly.
You get paid, we handle the rest.
What Affects Car Values in Vermont? Local Market Insights to Know
In Vermont, seasonal weather and road conditions impact buyer preferences:
- AWD and 4WD vehicles are highly desirable in winter and mountainous regions.
- Fuel-efficient sedans and hybrids are popular in more urban areas.
- Well-maintained vehicles that resist rust fetch better prices due to Vermont’s snowy, salted roads.
- In Vermont’s southern cities and more populated areas, fuel-efficient sedans, hybrids, and electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly popular. Hybrid registrations surged 35% in 2024, reaching 10% market share as EV and plug-in hybrid adoption grow rapidly.
- In Q1 2025, hybrids and EVs combined accounted for more than 12% of new vehicle sales the highest rates in New England.
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Local demand and weather conditions help shape your car’s value.
Ready to Sell Your Car in Vermont?
Ken Ganley Buying Center makes it simple, fast, and safe.
Start with a free online quote or call us at 330-427-3656.
We help car owners across Vermont sell confidently and easily.
Need help selling your car in Vermont? Here are some quick answers
Do I need to notarize the title in Vermont?
No. Notarization is not required to transfer a title in Vermont.
Do I keep my license plates after the sale?
Yes. In Vermont, plates stay with the seller and can be transferred to another vehicle or returned to the DMV.
Can I sell my car without a title?
No. You must apply for a replacement using Form TA-VT-04R if the original is lost.
Is a bill of sale required in Vermont?
Yes. The Vermont DMV requires a completed Form VT-005 for all vehicle sales.
Who pays the sales tax in Vermont?
The buyer pays the sales tax when they register the vehicle with the DMV.