[Mosells]

I’m selling a car in a private sale. If I just sign the title over to the buyer, what is my exposure if the buyer doesn’t title the car to his name and has an accident in the meantime. I can’t find anything regarding Florida law in this matter. How have you handled a private sale?
Thanking you in advance.

[bimmertl]

Go to a DMV office and handle the sale why you are there with the buyer. They will make sure the title transfer and taxes etc will be handled properly.

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

Go to a DMV office and handle the sale why you are there with the buyer. They will make sure the title transfer and taxes etc will be handled properly.

I second this advice! Don’t let yourself get talked out of it! Florida has some strange rules that you have to follow.

[retiredguy123]

You don't need to go to the DMV to sell a car. Just prepare a bill of sale, sign the title, remove the tags, and file Form HSMV 82050 with the Florida DMV office. Make a copy of everything, and you will be protected.

[kathyspear]

Personally, I like the idea of meeting at the DMV, though, for safety reasons.

kathy

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

You don't need to go to the DMV to sell a car. Just prepare a bill of sale, sign the title, remove the tags, and file Form HSMV 82050 with the Florida DMV office. Make a copy of everything, and you will be protected.

Two things to consider with this approach. 1 is timing. When is the sale considered binding? If you do not both do this at the dmv you are open to a lot of hassle (at the very least). 2 more of a clarification. You need to remove the actual license plate and use it on your new car or retire it with the dmv

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

You don't need to go to the DMV to sell a car. Just prepare a bill of sale, sign the title, remove the tags, and file Form HSMV 82050 with the Florida DMV office. Make a copy of everything, and you will be protected.

Good advise, I would add that you should notify your insurance company the vehicle is sold and clearly put in the bill of sale that the vehicle is being sold in “as is condition”.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by jdulej

Two things to consider with this approach. 1 is timing. When is the sale considered binding? If you do not both do this at the dmv you are open to a lot of hassle (at the very least). 2 more of a clarification. You need to remove the actual license plate and use it on your new car or retire it with the dmv

The sale is binding when both parties sign the bill of sale. The Form HSMV 82050 cancels your registration. My problem with meeting at the DMV is that you could lose the sale if the buyer does not show up. You have a better chance to complete the sale when the buyer has just examined the car and had a test drive. A lot of buyers suffer from buyer's remorse which could kill the deal. Marketing 101.

[Michael G.]

When I sold my Honda Goldwing, I printed a bill of sale of the internet and I and the buyer went to the DMV.
They handled the complete transaction for both me and the buyer.
The buyer even bought the new license plates for the ride home right at the DMV.
Nice people to work with and explained everything.

[jswirs]

Originally Posted by Mosells

I’m selling a car in a private sale. If I just sign the title over to the buyer, what is my exposure if the buyer doesn’t title the car to his name and has an accident in the meantime. I can’t find anything regarding Florida law in this matter. How have you handled a private sale?
Thanking you in advance.

For you own exposure, you MUST go to a DMV and have all the documents signed there. Far too risky otherwise.

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

The sale is binding when both parties sign the bill of sale. The Form HSMV 82050 cancels your registration. My problem with meeting at the DMV is that you could lose the sale if the buyer does not show up. You have a better chance to complete the sale when the buyer has just examined the car and had a test drive. A lot of buyers suffer from buyer's remorse which could kill the deal. Marketing 101.

I agree. Sounds like the advice of a car salesman. Don't let him walk out the door and say he is coming back later. He'll lose that sale.

[DaleDivine]

Originally Posted by kathyspear

Personally, I like the idea of meeting at the DMV, though, for safety reasons.

kathy

I don't think many people will agree to meeting at the DMV to examine a car for sale or to test drive it.

[Dzurinko]

Originally Posted by Mosells

I’m selling a car in a private sale. If I just sign the title over to the buyer, what is my exposure if the buyer doesn’t title the car to his name and has an accident in the meantime. I can’t find anything regarding Florida law in this matter. How have you handled a private sale?
Thanking you in advance.

I had the same concern 2 years ago selling a boat. I was advised to type up a simple sheet of paper with a description of the boat including the serial number etc and have the buyer sign and date it at the bottom acknowledging receipt. So I did that and felt very comfortable doing it. If anything happen and the buyer failed to title it, I had proof he took possession on that date.

[ogutierrez29@icloud.com]

With the lack of cars and the marked up prices today, you will not lose the sale if the car is in good condition. I would go to the DMV. Good luck.

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by DaleDivine

I agree. Sounds like the advice of a car salesman. Don't let him walk out the door and say he is coming back later. He'll lose that sale.

Although I have sold a car and bought a car using the "go to DMV" method with no issues, I see your point. My main concern is that until the DMV changes its records, you will be involved with any legal issue that might come up (however unlikely) involving the car/truck/etc. With the "go to DMV" approach, when you walk out of that building it's a done deal in the eyes of everyone - seller, buyer, state of FL.
Interestingly the only problem I have had was when I traded in an RV for a new RV at a dealer. I assumed (I know, first mistake) that the dealer took care of all the paper work. Then 6 month later I got a registration renewal notice from the DMV for the RV I had traded in. I ended up making a trip to the DMV after all!