How To Sell a Car in California

If you’re wondering how to sell a car in California, there are a few things that you need to know going in. Thankfully, whether you live in Santa Cruz or Watsonville, we’ve got a handy and detailed guide to ensure that you sell your car the right way. If you’re wondering how to sell a car at a dealership or wondering how long it takes to sell a car, keep reading.

Getting the California DMV Forms

The first step of selling a car in California is getting your forms in place. When you change ownership of a car in California, this is called a vehicle transfer and requires a series of forms to legally document the transfer.

• You’ll always need your title or an application for a duplicate or paperless title. If you don’t have the original title, you will have to use the REG 227 form to complete the ownership transfer. The seller and the buyer will complete the REG 227 together. Keep in mind that if your car is two model years old or less and has a lienholder, you can’t use the REG 227; you’ll need to go through the lienholder.
• You’re going to need to have the signature of the seller(s) and lienholder (if applicable) plus the signature of the buyer(s) and the transfer fee, otherwise known as FFVR 34.
• You might also need the Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form REG 262. Since this form has security features, you can’t get it online. Call (800) 777-0133, and you’ll get the form mailed to you.
• If the title is incorrectly filled-out, you need the Statement to Record Ownership/Statement of Error or Erasure (REG 101) form.
• If you’re obtaining your vehicle from a family, you need the Statement of Facts (REG 256) form.

How To Sell a Car at a Dealership

When you bring your Santa Clara car into Santa Cruz Toyota, you’ll have a few steps to go through before selling your car. You can use our value your trade tool to get an idea of how much your car will be worth, but if you’re asking how long it takes to sell a car with us, you can have a new car the day you step in, although there’s a ten-business-day requirement to pay the fees without incurring penalties. We will inspect your car and determine its value, giving you several days to consider the offer before a reevaluation is necessary.

Sell Your Car at Santa Cruz Toyota

If you want to figure out your next car without any fuss, we’re your dealership. You can trust in us to bring you the best selection and service no matter your needs. We want to help you with all of your automotive needs, so if you’re ready to start something new, just get in touch with us.