I need some help with this guys, my girlfriend is going to be purchasing a car through a private party ad mainly because it is the most affordable way to do so for her. My question is this, since it is a private party sale and the car is registered here in california, when there is a change of ownership with the pink slips- when she goes to the DMV, what, if any other fees will she have to pay? I know there is no sales tax, but what, if any are the other fees that she is going to be paying for at the DMV? Thanks much guys!!!!
-Geoff

 

hey was up geoff yea i do dmv work for my job haha....well if she buys the car she will pay sales tax on the sales price plus a 15 dollar fee and the car needs to be smoged as well and if the reg is out of date she would have to pay all the late reg fees and all that stuff...well i hope i could help yah out with all of that

 

Just ask the person selling the car to "Gift" it to her. And make a sub contract (bill of sale) stating the sale. Which means the pink slip has no sale charge but the sub contract you have does. Protects both parties and this way there is no Tax on the sale of the car since its 0 dollars. All there will be then is a 15 or so dollar Change of Ownership fee and like above... Smog + Re-registration if needed.

 

damn....well update, we did go ahead and purchase the jetta. Now I have to wait for the owner to pay off the rest of the loan so the auto loan company will release the pink slip to them, then officially to us. So I need to figure out HOW or what to say to the guy when I speak to him tomorrow about this 'gifting'. Does he have to tell the loan company that or once he pays off the remainder of the loan, it will be up to him to put it under a 'gift' contract???? Please clarify on this guys cuz I wont be able to afford the sales tax, especially thinking that there was not going to be any on a private sale!!!!!

 

Just set a price thats low but COULD be true as the sale price when you fill out the Pink slip. most sellers understand this concept but I would not "gift" it unless its a family member. Set a low price like 500 to 1000 dollars if the DMV says anything tell them it need some work or other BS.
You are buying the car "as is" so it doesnt matter what the bill of sale reflects pricewise unless you need a accurate one for your financing.