Fillable Printable Buying A Vehicle
Fillable Printable Buying A Vehicle
Buying A Vehicle
Did you know…
Who is responsible for submitting the
Seller’s Report of Sale?
If you sell or trade your vehicle, the seller (not
the dealer or new buyer) is responsible for
completing and submitting a Seller’s Report to
the Department of Licensing, within 5 days of
selling the vehicle.You are responsible for that
vehicle until the Seller’s Report is completed.
You may file a report of sale online at www.dol.
wa.gov or file in person at a vehicle licensing
office.
How and where do I submit a
Seller’s Report of Sale?
All Washington titles have a Seller’s Report
attached. Or, you can obtain one from any
licensing office where you transfer titles, renew
license plate tabs, etc.You can also submit a
completed Seller’s Report at a licensing office,
or on the Internet at
www.dol.wa.gov.Keep a copy for yourself.
Does the Lemon Law apply to
used vehicles?
The Lemon Law applies primarily to new
vehicles. It may apply to a used vehicle
depending on the circumstances. Call the
Attorney General’s Consumerline at
1-800-541-8898 for information and a brochure.
Is there a limit on interest rates?
There is no limit, cap, or ceiling on what a
dealer can charge for interest rates when a
dealer is carrying the loan.You may save money
by arranging for your own financing before you
start shopping for a vehicle.
Who do I call about repossessions?
Contact the Attorney General’s Consumerline at
1-800-551-4636 for information and a brochure.
Can I find out about the previous owner?
The dealer is not required to provide the
previous owner’s name and address to a buyer.
The Department of Licensing is prevented, by
public disclosure laws, from disclosing previous
owner information.
Can I get out of a contract?
Once you sign a contract you are bound
by that contract.Read and understand each
document before you sign! Helpful hints:
• You should always get a copy of each
document you sign for your records
• Get all verbal promises and representations in
writing
• Do not sign the contract unless you have
read, and understand, all of its terms and
agreements
• Never, never, sign a contract with spaces
left blank. Mark them out or fill them in
appropriately
• By law, before you sign the contract, the dealer
must separately disclose in writing the finance
charge, insurance costs, taxes and other
charges you are to pay under the contract. If
they’re different from those you negotiated,
insist they be corrected.
Can I change my mind after three days?
No.Washington law does not provide for a
three-day cooling-off period when you purchase
a vehicle, at a licensed location. Once you sign
the contract, the car is yours.
What is a curbstoner?
An unlicensed dealer or car “flipper.”These are
individuals who regularly buy cars to fix them up
to appear decent.They then sell them (usually tax
free) for a quick profit.
These individuals do not have a dealer license,
bond, insurance, place of business or the
responsibility to the customers that is required
of a legal dealer.You have little to no protection
when buying a vehicle from a curbstoner.
If you don’t have a dealer license, it is illegal to:
• Sell more than 4 vehicles registered to you in
any 12 months.
• Buy and sell vehicles for the purpose of making
a profit.
• Sell any number of vehicles that aren’t
registered to you.
If you respond to a classified ad and the seller has
several cars for sale not registered in his/her name
you may be buying from a curbstoner. Purchasing
vehicles from these individuals significantly
increases your risks of not being able to get the
vehicle title transferred.You could be purchasing a
car which has been wrecked, insurance destroyed
and rebuilt, that has a “rolled back” odometer, is
a lemon, or even has flood or other undisclosed
damage. No matter who you buy from, insist
on a thorough test drive and an independent
mechanical inspection before you sign and buy.
Does a dealer have to perform a safety check
before he can sell a vehicle?
No. However it is a violation of dealer licensing
regulations for a dealer to sell a car which does
not have the following:
• Working headlights, taillights, brakelights
• Turn signals
• Brakes
• Windshields with no cracks obstructing the
driver’s clear view of the road
• Working windshield wipers
• Tires with a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an
inch, with no bulges, bumps, exposed cord or
ply
What should I do before I buy?
At a minimum, take the vehicle to a mechanic
and have the engine, other mechanical parts,
emission control system, and safety equipment
inspected and tested. If a dealer or private party
is reluctant or refuses to allow an inspection, walk
away.Vehicles roll off the assembly line every day.
Don’t be duped into thinking that one particular
vehicle is the only one of its kind.There are
millions more out there to choose from!
Is a VIN Inspection a safety check?
No.In fact VIN inspections are no longer required,
except in cases where a vehicle has been rebuilt.
Does a vehicle have to be tested, and pass,
a vehicle emissions test before a dealer can
sell a vehicle to the public?
No. However, purchase orders in emissions
areas must have a disclosure statement
on used vehicles (no longer under the
manufacturer’s warranty) indicating that an
owner of a vehicle may be required to spend
up to $150 for repairs if the vehicle does not
meet the vehicle emissions standards. Emission
testing is not required statewide. For additional
information, contact the Department of Ecology,
at the phone number listed on the back of this
brochure, or visit their website.
What about private party sales?
If you live in an inspection program area and
you purchase a used vehicle from a private
party it must have a valid emission inspection
certificate to be registered under your name.
Implied warranty of
merchantability
on used cars
Every vehicle sold in Washington by a dealer
has an “implied” warranty that the vehicle
will be fit for ordinary driving purposes.
That means the vehicle must be free of major
defects, reasonably safe, and of the average
quality of similar vehicles available for sale in
that price range.The duration and extent of
coverage is conditioned on the age, mileage
and price of the vehicle as well as the nature
and timing of the problem. For more information,
contact the Attorney General’s Consumerline at
1-800-551-4636 for information and a brochure.
“As-Is” is just that
Most used vehicles are offered by dealers “as-
is.”If you waive the implied warranty and the
vehicle breaks down, you will be responsible
for all repairs.As an informed buyer, you
should consider whether negotiating away your
implied warranty rights is really in your best
interest.
Vehicle Titles
If I buy a car from a dealer, who does the title
transfer?
The dealer is responsible for transferring
the vehicle into the new owner’s name and
providing plates, tabs, and registration.
How long does a dealer have to
transfer title?
A dealer should transfer a vehicle’s title within
45 days from the date of delivery.
What do I do if my dealer temporary permit
expires or is about to expire?
First, contact the dealer.The dealer may have
your plates or tabs at the place of business. If
the dealer does not have your plates or tabs,
and your temporary permit has expired, you can
call one of the Dealer Services regional offices
listed on this brochure.
Does a VIN inspection need to be done
before the title is transferred?
No.A VIN inspection is required for rebuilt
vehicles.
Does the dealer have to disclose if the
vehicle been insurance destroyed, rebuilt, or
salvaged?
Yes. Under Washington State Law the dealer
must disclose, in writing, on the purchase
agreement, the following:
• That the vehicle’s certificate of ownership
(title) has been branded. Examples may be
(but not limited to) salvage/rebuilt, destroyed,
or junk.
• That the vehicle has been declared totaled out
by an insurance company and then rebuilt.
• That the vehicle’s title contains the specific
comment that the vehicle is rebuilt.
How do I transfer a title between private
parties?
Before finalizing the deal and paying for the car,
be sure to get all of the necessary papers to title
your car.You will need the following:
• Odometer Disclosure Statement form filled out
and signed by the owner and the buyer.If the
car is 10 years old or older you do not need
the Odometer Disclosure Statement.
• All owners listed on the title must release
ownership in the vehicle.The owner(s) do so
by signing the appropriate space(s) on the
title. If the title is lost, an Affidavit of Loss/
Release of Interest or Affidavit in Lieu of Title
form must be completed and signed by all
of the owners shown on the title record.The
forms must be signed in the presence of a
notary public and notarized by the notary, or
signed in the presence of a vehicle licensing
agent, at a vehicle licensing agent’s office, and
certified by the agent.The Affidavit of Loss/
Release of Interest form may be obtained from
the Department of Licensing website at www.
dol.wa.gov, under vehicle & vessel forms.The
Affidavit in Lieu of Title may be obtained from
any Department of Licensing office.
• A valid emissions statement if you live in
King, Pierce, Clark, Snohomish, or Spokane
counties.
There is a penalty if the new owner does not
change the title into their name within 15
calendar days from the date of purchase.The
penalty is $50 on the 16th day plus $2 for each
day thereafter up to a maximum fine of $125. After
45 days, failure to transfer title is a misdemeanor.
For more information
For brochures on the Lemon Law, buying and
leasing vehicles, repossessions, and mechanic’s
liens:
Attorney General’s Office Consumerline
1-800-551-4636
www.atg.wa.gov/contactus.aspx
Attorney General’s Office Lemon Law
1-800-541-8898
www.atg.wa.gov/lemonlaw.aspx
Information on emission testing:
Department of Ecology
Pierce & Clark County: 1-800-272-3780
King & Snohomish County: 1-800-272-3780
Spokane County: (509) 329-3491
Prices of used cars:
See the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide or the
Kelly Blue Book.Your local bank or credit union
may have a copy. Many libraries also provide
these publications in their reference sections.
General licensing information:
See the Department of Licensing’s website at
www.dol.wa.gov
Dealer Services Office:
Olympia
(360) 664-6475
Dealer Services does not regulate private
party sales.
We are committed to providing equal access to our services.
For information visit dol.wa.gov/access. (TDD/TTY call 711).
TD-420-401 (R/3/16)WA
Fast facts and helpful hints
Buying a
Vehicle
Washington State
Department of Licensing
dol.wa.gov
