Salvage title — Georgia

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GeorgiaSide by SideSalvage title

BillOfSaleNow Legal Team

Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: March 20266 min readEditorial policy

What to know about salvage title sales in Georgia

You must disclose the salvage title status in writing. The bill of sale should state "salvage title" prominently. Some states require a separate salvage disclosure form. Do not represent a salvage vehicle as a rebuilt title unless it has passed the required state inspection and been formally re-branded.

What to include in your bill of sale

Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
Side by Side make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
Any salvage title-specific disclosures required in Georgia.

Seller guidance

Buyer guidance

A salvage title vehicle cannot be registered for road use in any state until it passes a state-mandated rebuilt inspection. Lenders rarely finance salvage title vehicles, and insuring them for full value is difficult. Even after a salvage vehicle is re-branded as "rebuilt," it will always carry diminished resale value.

Georgia-Specific Note

Georgia requires salvage vehicles to pass a rebuilt inspection by the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) before a rebuilt title is issued. Complete MV-25 (Rebuilt Motor Vehicle Inspection Form). The inspection includes a VIN check and verification of all replaced parts. TAVT applies at the standard rate. The title carries a "rebuilt" brand.

Legal considerations

Georgia Side by Side transfer fees and requirements

In Georgia, the title transfer fee is $18 and registration costs $20 per year. Side by Side sales are subject to Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Georgia does not require notarization for private-party side by side transfers. Emission testing is required in Georgia — verify the side by side passes before completing the sale.

TAVT replaced sales tax and annual ad valorem tax in 2013
Emissions testing required in 13 metro Atlanta counties
Title must be transferred within 30 days of purchase

Georgia sales tax on side by side purchases

Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. 6.6% TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) on fair market value. Private-party side by side sales in Georgia are subject to sales tax. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013. The title transfer fee is $18.

Side by Side market data and safety information

The most common side by side makes in private-party sales are Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Average private-party side by side prices range from $5,000–$30,000. Side by sides average 2.6 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Steering, Fuel System, Fire Hazard.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used side by side

Before completing a side by side bill of sale in Georgia, verify these safety items:

Verify ROPS (cage) is intact and meets manufacturer specifications
Check all seat belts and door/net latching mechanisms
Inspect CV axles and boots — the highest-wear item on side-by-sides
Test power steering operation and differential lock engagement
Confirm headlights, taillights, brake lights, and (where required) turn signals function
Verify horn and reverse-warning beeper operation
Check that windshield (if equipped) is rated and unmodified
Inspect parking brake operation on a 15-degree slope

Side by Side insurance and depreciation in Georgia

Insurance averages $200–$600/year. Multi-passenger models cost more. Required for on-road use. Side-by-sides depreciate 30–40% in 3 years. Sport models (RZR, Maverick) depreciate faster than utility models (Ranger). Peak season for private side by side sales is spring for recreation, fall for hunting season, with an average of 25 days on market.

Side by Side registration and titling

Side by Sides are classified as "Off-highway vehicle (OHV) — some states allow street-legal conversion" for registration purposes. Side-by-sides range from 1,000–2,000 lbs. Multi-seat crew models weigh more. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to side by sides.

Safety tips for salvage title side by side transactions

When completing a salvage title side by side sale in Georgia, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common side by side recall categories are Steering, Fuel System, Fire Hazard. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.

Checklist for salvage title side by side sale in Georgia

Confirm the title is branded "salvage" and the brand is disclosed on the bill of sale
Run a NMVTIS or CARFAX report to verify complete title history
Disclose all known damage, repairs, and any prior insurance total-loss declarations
Confirm the vehicle cannot be legally driven until rebuilt inspection is complete
Check insurance availability before purchase — many carriers restrict salvage vehicle coverage
Complete MV-25 (Rebuilt Motor Vehicle Inspection Form)
Schedule inspection with the Georgia DOR
Pay TAVT at the county tag office on the rebuilt vehicle

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Use the main Georgia side by side bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.

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Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

Frequently asked questions

When should I use the salvage title page?

Use this page when your side by side sale in Georgia fits a salvage title scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.

Why does the salvage title scenario have its own page?

Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a salvage title transaction specifically.

What should be included in this bill of sale?

Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the salvage title transaction.

What are the Georgia fees for a salvage title side by side transfer?

Georgia charges a $18 title transfer fee. Registration costs $20 per year. Sales tax: Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Notarization is not required for most transfers.

What side by side makes are most commonly sold in Georgia?

The most popular side by side makes in private-party sales are Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$30,000.

Do I pay sales tax on a salvage title side by side sale in Georgia?

Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013

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