6 Ways to Protect Yourself When Selling a Motor Vehicle in Texas

There are many ways to sell and purchase a used car, and buyers can easily find vehicles in good condition on various websites. The matter remains small, and you only need to drive to the vehicle inspection and let the buyer understand that the car's description meets the reality. However, it would help if you did this with great care to stay safe and not become a victim of fraud. This review will tell you about the features of a secure transaction.

What a Perfect Deal Looks Like

A perfect deal involves the following steps:

1. A potential buyer calls or writes to you
2. You agree on a convenient time and place for a meeting
3. On inspection, they like the car
4. You complete the Motor Vehicle (Car) Bill of Sale Form
5. Both parties sign it
6. You register the form with the respective county tax office 

To make your car sale go perfectly according to this plan, we advise you to read the tips below. The article covers how to protect yourself and avoid a fraudster. Unfortunately, there are a lot of them in the world of the car market. To legally secure a deal, you can fill out one of the Texas bill of sale forms by FormsPal and read about other ways to protect yourself below.

We will not tell you about the technical features of cars that may deserve your attention as a seller. This information can be found on the official website of the Department of Transportation, where a brochure on test drive cars is published. You can read the NHTSA recommendations for vehicle specifications; you can find out what marking is worth paying attention to and indicate it in your ad. Instead, we will focus on human factors and tell you what features to communicate with the buyer.

How to Sell a Car Safely

It is impossible to list all the risks when selling a car. However, we can say for sure that scammers most often use the same methods of deception. There are developed methods for understanding that your buyer is a fraudster. Knowing these rules will help you not lose money or endanger your physical and mental health. Here are the basic six rules of safe trade.

Talk in Detail on the Phone

Do not make an appointment without first making a phone call. Prepare for a conversation with a potential buyer (usually, this is a simple scheme enough to work out once).

Feel free to talk to the buyer in detail. Ask them what they are buying the car for, their requirements for the vehicle, and whether they are willing to pay the entire amount at once. Invite the buyer to ask questions. This will help you understand their interest and genuine desire to buy a car.

Do not negotiate sales through third parties. Agree to the transaction only if you can meet with the buyer in person. Let them know that you want to see their driver's license when they inspect the car.

Organize a Test Drive

If the phone conversation convinces you that the buyer is interested in buying, you can arrange for an inspection of the car. Choose a safe place to test drive. Plan a short inspection. Usually, a genuine buyer does not claim a long ride on the vehicle they intend to buy.

Make an appointment in a public space with many people, for example, the center of your city. Do not schedule a test drive near your home. Set a time when there are enough people to see you. Disagree if the buyer refers to a busy schedule or suggests a late hour. It is your right to set the time of the meeting.

Never go on a test drive alone! Be sure to invite a family member or a good friend. Before starting the drive, ask the buyer to show you their license. This request is not an indicator of distrust but a mandatory rule for selling a car. Ultimately, you will not officially register the transaction if the buyer has any problems with the documents.

Discuss the Way of Payment

If your buyer has serious intentions, they begin to negotiate a price in advance. Discuss the payment method over the phone. After inspecting the car, go together to the bank if you have agreed to pay in cash.

You can also make a transaction through contactless money transfer services. Do not provide your card details to the buyer. Instead, use a payment system, that is, an online wallet. If you have agreed to get money via payment service, use a well-known system (for example, Paypal or Zelle).

Never accompany the buyer to another place! They may offer to pick up the money at another location, but you should only receive it at the bank. If they need to apply for a loan, ask them to prepare all the documents themselves and contact you only when they are ready to pay.

Enter Into a Sales Agreement

Sign a motor vehicle bill of sale form and give it to the buyer to sign. The document will be your paper confirmation of the sale and purchase of the car and will help solve the possible disputes that might arise in the future. 

The primary details required in the form are the vehicle identification, mileage, and transaction date. Enter the exact odometer readings, which indicates that the car no longer belongs to you. Then, the seller signs this document and passes it to the buyer. We recommend that you make a copy of the form for storage at your place.

Protect Your Personal Data

Before you give the documents for the car to the new owner, thickly cross out all personal data. These can be card numbers, phone numbers, social security numbers, or other personal information that you want to keep private. Since this data can be used to steal funds from personal accounts, it is best not to share it with strangers.

Make an Official Registration

Register the car sale with your local county tax office. Check beforehand what documents you need to issue in addition to the bill of sale to transfer the rights to the new owner legally. This can be a certificate of technical inspection or other documents about the car's title.

It is important to complete the transaction officially, although you need to pay a fee. Otherwise, you will have to be responsible for the car's condition if the new owner gets into an accident.

Following these tips will significantly reduce your risks when selling a car in Texas. Remember the main thing: do not test drive alone or provide the buyer with your data. If you suspect fraud at one of the sale stages, report this suspicion to the service center of the site where you sell the car. Although this does not mean that you are making a formal accusation, it might save the other sellers.