How to Sell a Car in Iowa

At Lithia Volkswagen of Des Moines, we know many Des Moines and West Des Moines drivers are interested in selling their vehicles as quickly as possible while getting as much as they can for it. We’re here to help! Learn how to sell a car privately in Iowa below, and feel free to call our finance experts for additional tips or to sell us your vehicle. We’re proud to be your trusted source for all your buying and selling needs.

Selling Your Car: A Seller’s Checklist

What forms do I need to sell a car in Iowa? Before getting started, get all your documents in order, which includes the vehicle’s title, maintenance record, owner’s manual, and any additional documents related to your car.

The following steps are simple, which we have listed below as your seller’s checklist to make selling a car privately in Iowa go as smoothly as possible.

• Remove license plates — They must be on the new vehicle within 30 days. You can also bring them to your county Trasurer’s Office to have your name removed from the record in the motor vehicle system.
• Title and Bill of Sale — This must get assigned back by signing it as the seller with the buyer on the top line with the date of sale. A separate Bill of Sale must include the following: the vehicle description, sale date, purchase price, and seller signature.
• Odometer Statement — This can go on the back of the title and check the correct legend box.
• Damage Disclosure Statement — On the back of the title, answer the damage disclosure questions. This disclosure statement is required on vehicles seven years old and newer.
• Proof of Sale — This includes a receipt from the buyer stating they accepted the vehicle’s delivery or getting a copy of the front and back of the title showing the assignment to the buyer or filing a “Notice of Sale of Vehicle and Delivery of Title” form 411107 that states the county where the vehicle was last registered.
• Refund — You can claim a refund for any unused registration fees through your county Treasurer within six months of selling your vehicle. If the refund is less than $10, the refund won’t get granted.

Selling a vehicle doesn’t have to be difficult, and our team is here to help simplify the process as much as possible!

Sell Your Vehicle to Us at Lithia Volkswagen of Des Moines!

If, after going through the process to try and sell a car privately in Iowa, you feel it’s not for you, visit our team at Lithia Volkswagen of Des Moines near Waukee. Don’t want to buy another car? That’s okay — we still want to buy your car! You can estimate your vehicle’s value right at home or call our finance team to schedule an appointment.