How to Sell a Car Privately in Michigan (2026 Guide)
Quick Answer
To sell a car privately in Michigan you need: a signed title, a completed bill of sale (VIN, sale price, odometer, date, both signatures), and photo ID. The buyer has 15 days to transfer the title at the Michigan Secretary of State and pay the $15 transfer fee.
Michigan-Specific Note
Michigan title and registration is handled by the Secretary of State (SOS), not a DMV. Michigan allows license plate transfers between vehicles owned by the same person — a major cost saver vs. buying new plates. Appointments at SOS offices are strongly recommended.
Step-by-Step: How to Sell a Car Privately in Michigan
Follow these 7 steps in order. Do not skip step 6 — a missing or incorrect bill of sale is the #1 reason title transfers are rejected by the Michigan Secretary of State.
- 1Price your vehicle using Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) and Edmunds (edmunds.com) to establish fair market value. Cross-reference at least two sources. Set your asking price 5–10% above your walk-away number to leave negotiating room.
- 2Gather your documents before advertising: the clear title (no open liens), valid government-issued photo ID, maintenance records, and any warranty paperwork. If there is an open lien, contact your lender to arrange a payoff and lien release before listing.
- 3Run a VIN history report and share it with prospective buyers. Reports from Carfax or AutoCheck cost around $40 and show accident history, odometer records, and title status. Serious buyers expect this — having it ready prevents the "I need to check the VIN" negotiating tactic.
- 4Photograph and list the vehicle with full details: mileage, options, maintenance history, and known condition. State "as-is, private sale" clearly in the listing. Use at least 10 photos taken in daylight from multiple angles.
- 5Screen buyers: allow test drives only after requesting a valid license. Meet in a public location (a bank parking lot is ideal — you can accept a cashier's check on the spot). Never allow an unsupervised test drive.
- 6Complete a Michigan bill of sale at the time of the sale. Both buyer and seller must sign. The document must include the VIN, sale price, odometer reading, sale date, and full names and addresses of both parties.
- 7Sign over the title to the buyer. The seller signs the assignment section on the back of the title. Double-check every field — an incorrect title is rejected by the Michigan Secretary of State. The buyer has 15 days to complete the title transfer.
Required Paperwork for a Michigan Private Car Sale
Signed vehicle title
The seller signs the back of the Michigan title in the assignment section. Fill in the buyer's full legal name, sale price, and date. Do not leave any field blank.
Bill of sale
Must include: buyer and seller full names and addresses, VIN (17 characters), year, make, model, odometer reading in miles, sale price (written and numeric), sale date, and both parties' signatures. Michigan's official form is Vehicle Bill of Sale (TR-52).
Odometer disclosure
Required by federal law (Truth in Mileage Act) for vehicles under 10 model years old. Michigan also requires odometer disclosure under state law. Record the exact odometer reading at the time of sale.
Government-issued photo ID
Both parties should bring a valid driver's license or state-issued ID. This confirms identity and reduces fraud risk. Make a photocopy for your records.
Emissions / smog certificate
Michigan does not require statewide emissions testing for private vehicle sales. The buyer can register the vehicle at any Secretary of State branch without an emissions certificate.
Michigan DMV Information and Fees
Protect Yourself After the Sale
Signing over the title and handing over the keys does not automatically end your liability in Michigan. If the buyer is involved in an accident, receives a traffic citation, or accumulates unpaid tolls before transferring the title, you may receive notices — or worse, have your license suspended.
Remove your Michigan license plates before the sale. Sellers should complete a Seller's Statement of Odometer Reading (on the title) and keep a signed copy. The buyer uses it to transfer at the SOS office.
3 Common Mistakes When Selling a Car in Michigan
Not transferring the title within 15 days — Michigan's 15-day deadline is strictly enforced. The buyer and seller both have obligations in this window.
Forgetting to cancel your insurance before selling — the Michigan No-Fault insurance law means the seller's insurer could be liable for accidents if the vehicle is still insured under the seller's policy.
Handing over the plate with the car — Michigan plates stay with the owner. Leaving your plate on the sold vehicle exposes you to liability for any tickets or toll violations by the new owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paperwork do I need to sell a car privately in Michigan?▾
To sell a car privately in Michigan, you need: (1) the vehicle title signed and dated by the seller; (2) a completed bill of sale with VIN, sale price, odometer reading, sale date, and both parties' signatures; (3) valid government-issued photo ID; and (4) an odometer disclosure statement for vehicles under 10 model years old. A VIN history report, while not required, is strongly recommended to reassure buyers and justify your asking price.
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title in Michigan?▾
In Michigan, the buyer has 15 days from the date of sale to transfer the title at the Michigan Secretary of State. Missing this deadline results in late fees. Sellers should file a notice of sale with the Michigan Secretary of State promptly after the sale to avoid liability for post-sale incidents.
Does Michigan require a notary for a private car sale?▾
No — Michigan does not require notarization for a standard private car sale. Both parties simply need to sign the bill of sale and the seller signs the back of the title. Voluntary notarization is always an option for extra legal protection, particularly for high-value vehicles.
How much is the title transfer fee in Michigan?▾
The title transfer fee in Michigan is $15. This fee is paid by the buyer at the Michigan Secretary of State at the time of registration. In addition to the title fee, the buyer pays Michigan charges 6% use tax on the purchase price of a vehicle in a private sale. The buyer pays this at the Secretary of State office when transferring the title. Registration fees are also due at that time.
Can I sell a car without a title in Michigan?▾
Selling a vehicle without a clear title in Michigan is strongly discouraged and may be illegal. If you have lost the title, apply for a duplicate title at the Michigan Secretary of State before listing the vehicle. If you have an outstanding loan, contact your lender to arrange a payoff and lien release. Buyers who purchase a vehicle without a proper title will have serious difficulty registering it.
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