The 6 steps
- 1
Set a fair asking price
Research comparable cars by year, make, model, mileage, and condition. Price slightly above your floor to leave room to negotiate, and be honest about any issues — accurate listings sell faster and build trust.
- 2
Gather your documents
Locate the vehicle title (signed over at sale), your maintenance records, and any lien release if you financed the car. Prepare a simple bill of sale showing the date, price, vehicle VIN, and both parties' names and signatures.
- 3
Take great photos and write a clear description
Clean the car and photograph it in good light from multiple angles, inside and out, including the odometer and any flaws. A complete, honest description (mileage, title status, features, known issues) gets more serious buyers.
- 4
List it where local buyers are looking
Post your car on KarShuk, the private-party marketplace for the greater Lakewood, NJ area. Local buyers can browse for free and contact you directly — no dealers and no middlemen taking a cut.
- 5
Screen buyers and arrange a safe meeting
Respond to inquiries, answer questions honestly, and schedule test drives in a public, well-lit place during the day. Bring a friend, verify the buyer has a valid license before any test drive, and trust your instincts.
- 6
Complete the sale and transfer ownership
Accept secure payment (cash or verified funds — be cautious with checks). Sign the title over to the buyer, hand over the bill of sale, and follow New Jersey's title, plate, and tax rules below. Then mark your listing sold on KarShuk.
New Jersey title, plates & tax — what to know
General guidance, not legal advice — confirm current requirements with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC).
Sign over the title
As the seller, complete the assignment/seller section on the back of the New Jersey title, including the odometer reading and sale price, and give it to the buyer. If there was a loan, include the lienholder's release.
License plates stay with you
In New Jersey, plates belong to the owner, not the car. Remove your plates before the buyer drives away, then transfer them to another vehicle or surrender them to the NJ MVC.
Buyer titles, registers, and pays sales tax
The buyer takes the signed title and bill of sale to a NJ MVC agency to title and register the vehicle, and pays New Jersey sales tax based on the purchase price. Buyers should do this promptly after the sale.
Keep a copy of everything
Hold onto a copy of the signed bill of sale and note the date you handed over the car. It protects you if any question comes up about the vehicle after the sale.
Staying safe
- Meet in a public, busy location during daylight — many police stations offer safe-exchange zones.
- Verify a valid driver's license before allowing any test drive, and ride along or bring someone with you.
- Accept cash or verified/guaranteed funds; be wary of overpayment, check, or wire-transfer scams.
- Never share your home address, financial details, or personal documents beyond what the sale requires.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is the best place to sell my car privately in the Lakewood, NJ area?
- List it on KarShuk (karshuk.com), the private-party car marketplace for the greater Lakewood, NJ area. Local buyers browse for free and contact you directly — no dealers, no middlemen, and no commission, just one small flat listing fee.
- Do I keep my license plates when I sell my car in New Jersey?
- Yes. In New Jersey plates stay with the owner, not the vehicle. Remove your plates before the buyer drives away, then transfer them to another car or surrender them to the NJ MVC.
- What paperwork do I need to sell a car privately in NJ?
- You need the vehicle title (with the seller/assignment section and odometer completed), a bill of sale showing the date, price, VIN, and both parties, and a lien release if the car was financed. The buyer uses these to title, register, and pay sales tax at the NJ MVC.
- Who pays sales tax in a private car sale in New Jersey?
- The buyer pays New Jersey sales tax when they title and register the vehicle at the MVC, based on the purchase price. As the seller you do not collect it.