How to sell a car in Tennessee privately

Prepare the title for the buyer's county-clerk application

Tennessee Revenue's checklist for an existing resident buying a used vehicle calls for a valid, properly assigned title and applicable odometer disclosure. The buyer applies through the county clerk and supplies identification, residency evidence and their current registration if transferring a plate. See Tennessee Revenue's used-title checklist.

Revenue identifies an additional Affidavit of Non-dealer Transfers of Motor Vehicles and Boats for gifts, low-price transfers or qualifying family transactions. An ordinary full-price sale and one of these special cases need different preparation. Record the true price and ask the clerk which supporting document applies.

Plan the Tennessee closing appointment

Identify the county clerk handling the buyer's application before the closing appointment. Have the clerk confirm the assignment, lien release, plate handling and any extra affidavit. If the actual sale is priced unusually low because of damage, retain the factual condition and price records rather than changing the declared price to fit an expectation.

If a lender still has an interest in the car, ask it for the payoff amount, payment instructions and release timing before accepting a closing date. Use our selling a car with a loan guide to prepare those questions. For inherited, leased or branded-title vehicles, obtain the instructions for that situation before using an ordinary private-sale checklist.

Set a price and prepare a useful listing

Compare vehicles with the same trim, similar mileage, condition and title history. Keep private asking prices separate from confirmed dealer offers, then subtract your payoff and selling costs to compare what you could keep. Our private-sale pricing guide explains the comparison.

Use current photographs of your own car. Include the odometer, interior and known damage, and describe maintenance you can document. State the actual city, mileage, asking price and known faults. Keep identification, title photos and financial documents out of the public ad. Use the car-sale photo checklist before posting.

Agree on payment and lawful collection

Ask your own financial institution how to verify the proposed payment before releasing the car. A screenshot or message saying money was sent is not verification. Use the private-sale payment guide to prepare the appointment.

If the buyer lives elsewhere, have them confirm destination-state title, registration, insurance and transport requirements. Follow your own seller steps as well. Our out-of-state buyer handoff guide helps keep the two responsibilities separate.

Tennessee private-sale checklist

• Prepare the properly assigned title and applicable odometer disclosure.
• Confirm any non-dealer transfer affidavit for the actual transaction.
• Coordinate the buyer's county-clerk application and lawful pickup.
• Verify payment through your own bank before the agreed release.
• Remove belongings, toll devices and saved connected-car information.
• Keep the completed transaction records and mark the listing sold afterward.

Start your Tennessee listing

When your photos, condition description and ownership plan are ready, start a CarTruvo listing. You set the asking price and speak directly with interested buyers. Arrange payment, ownership transfer and collection with the buyer using the official requirements above.