Legal Requirements

SELLING A CAR TO US

Bill of Sale

In order to transfer a vehicle to Cape Car, you need to complete a simple Bill of Sale. A printable copy is available here:

Certificate of Title

If you have the Title Certificate,
Sign it as current owner on the back where it says "seller's signature" and print your name where it says "printed name of seller." Enter the mileage number, but leave the rest of the form blank. We will fill out the remaining sections of the form after the car has been disposed of.

If you do not have a Title Certificate
Under some circumstances we can apply for one from the state

If your car is being recycled as scrap metal
We will not need a title.

Towing the Car

We will tow the car from your yard at no charge.

BUYING A CAR FROM US

Transfer of Title
We will sign the Title Certificate over to you at the time of the sale.

Registration
You will need to fill out Form RV-1 and bring it to an insurance agent.  After you have arranged for insurance, the agent will stamp the form.  Then you will need to bring the stamped RV-1 form to the registry and pay two fees: 

  1. A 6.5% tax on the purchase price or the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) trade-in value, whichever is higher.
  2. The registration fee

You must obtain a vehicle inspection sticker within seven (7) days of the registration date.

Transfer of existing plates
If you already have plates from a registered and insured car, and if this car had the same number of wheels and is the same type of vehicle, (for example, a four wheel passenger car) then you may transfer your old registration to the new vehicle.  You will have seven calendar days from the date you dispose of your previous vehicle to register your newly acquired vehicle.  During this time, you may attach the existing plates to the new vehicle as long as you carry your Bill of Sale and existing registration with you in the car. 

Prior to expiration of the seven day grace period:

  1. You must go to your insurance agent to transfer the insurance policy to the newly purchased vehicle and have the agent complete, stamp and sign an Application for Registration and Title (RMV-1).
  1. After verifying all information, sign the RMV-1 application.

Along with the completed RMV-1 application, you must submit one of the following documents:

    • The previous owner's title, if a titled vehicle (model year 1980 and newer), or
    • The bill of sale, if a non-titled vehicle.
  1. Take the completed RMV-1 application and supporting documents to the nearest full service RMV center.

The sales tax for a private sale is calculated at 6.25% of the purchase price or the National Automotive Dealer Association (NADA) trade-in value, whichever is higher.

After completing the transaction, you will receive a registration certificate with the new vehicle information. The title will be processed and mailed in approximately six (6) to eight (8) weeks.

You must obtain a vehicle inspection sticker within seven (7) days of the registration date.

Copyright © 2014 Peter H. Boynton, New Seabury, Massachusetts