Private sale — What You Need to Know
A transaction between two private individuals without dealer involvement. Both parties negotiate directly and the seller transfers the title after payment.
Seller guidance
You are responsible for disclosing known defects, providing an accurate odometer statement, and delivering a clean title. Once the bill of sale is signed and funds received, remove the vehicle from your insurance and notify your DMV of the transfer.
Buyer guidance
Run a title search or VIN history report (NMVTIS, CARFAX) before handing over funds. Confirm the seller is the titled owner and the title is free of liens. Take possession of the signed title on the day of sale.
Legal note (Maryland-specific)
MD charges 6% excise tax on private vehicle sales. Title must be transferred at the MVA within 60 days. An odometer disclosure is required.
Private sale checklist
- Verify the seller name matches the title exactly
- Confirm no open liens via your state DMV or NMVTIS
- Complete federal odometer disclosure (vehicles <10 years old)
- Sign and date the bill of sale with both parties present
- Transfer title and notify DMV within your state deadline
- Complete odometer disclosure on title assignment
- Buyer pays 6% excise tax at MVA
- Transfer title within 60 days
Semi Truck Safety & Recall Information
Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases
Average Safety Rating
0 / 5
Avg. Price Range
$20,000–$180,000
Odometer Disclosure
Not required
Safety checkpoints for semi truck buyers
- Inspect brake system — air brake components, slack adjusters, and pad condition
- Check DPF/DEF emission system status — deletion is federally illegal and affects value
- Verify DOT inspection history and annual inspection sticker currency
- Test all lighting, reflectors, and conspicuity markings per FMCSA requirements
- Confirm fifth-wheel locking jaw operation and proper grease level
- Verify tractor-trailer ABS warning light cycles correctly
- Test air-pressure build-up time meets FMCSA spec (governor cuts in by 60 PSI in 90 seconds)
- Confirm landing-gear crank operates and pin/clevis are intact
Common recall categories
BrakesEngine/EmissionsElectricalSteeringCoupling
On average, each semi truck model has approximately 4.5 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls before completing a sale.
Duncan Private sale semi truck pdf — when to file
Maryland requires title transfer within 60 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For private sale transactions specifically, file at Maryland DMV – Duncan (Visit https://mva.maryland.gov to find the nearest Duncan office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (verify hours with local office). Miss the 60-day window and Maryland typically charges a late-transfer penalty plus accrued use tax, and the seller can remain on the title for civil liability until the buyer completes retitling. Bring the signed title, the completed Duncan bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $100.00 title transfer fee plus 6% sales tax on the purchase price.
PDF reminder. Whether you keep your pdf as a signed digital PDF, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at Maryland DMV – Duncan; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.