How to Sell a Car Privately in South Carolina

Title transfers in South Carolina require very little action from you as the vehicle seller. While some states require notarized signatures and forms or DMV notification of a sale, the South Carolina DMV requires a properly signed title and bill of sale to complete the transaction. Before selling your car, make sure no liens exist in the lien holder section of the title or that you can provide the original lien release to the buyer, as South Carolina does not allow transfer of ownership while a lien is active.

Instructions

1

Sign your vehicle's title in the seller's section on the back of the title and fill out the odometer statement. Check the car's odometer before writing it in--it must be exact.

2

Give the buyer a lien release, if necessary. The title must be free and clear or liens, meaning none should be listed on the front of the title. If one does, and you have paid off your loan, provide the buyer with the official bank payoff statement--if you do not have it, get it from the bank listed on the title.

3

Get a bill of sale document from a South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. You cannot use a copy of the form, as South Carolina requires an official bill of sale that is available at any DMV office. Complete the bill of sale by providing the vehicle information where requested, and include the odometer reading, date, your license plate number, selling price and signature.

4

Give all paperwork to the buyer, but keep a copy of the bill of sale for your records. Remove your South Carolina plates from the car before the buyer leaves and call your insurance company as soon as possible to cancel or transfer your policy. Return the plates to a South Carolina DMV office if you do not plan to transfer them.