Curious about buying a car out of state? If so, you’re in the right place. While it’s a viable option and one that can save you money or help you get the right vehicle for your needs, it’s important to understand the process. Since you’re transporting the vehicle across state lines you have to consider taxes, how the car will be transported, and much more.
While this may seem overwhelming, don’t worry, we have you covered. Read on to learn more about buying a car from out of state and how you can make the process go smoothly.
Reasons to Purchase a Car Out of State
You might be wondering why you should buy a car from out of state in the first place. After all, plenty of vehicles are for sale in your current state, so why venture out at all? While that’s a fair question, there are several benefits of buying a car from out of state. These include:
● Different pricing standards for vehicles
● Price fluctuations based on supply and demand, so if one state has more of a specific vehicle, it might be cheaper
● More options
● Can help you find a niche car
Depending on the state, there may be even more benefits if there is more leniency on emissions regulations or other types of testing.
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Car Out of State
When you’re buying a car out of state there are several factors you must consider, and some of them can be game-changers. This is because every state has a different process when it comes to purchasing a car, regardless if you’re buying privately or from a dealer.
One of the biggest examples is emissions. While there are federal emissions regulations, some states have enacted even stricter laws and guidelines. For example, a car purchased in Georgia might not pass an emissions test in California, even if it’s legal from the factory elsewhere.
Taxes are also something you have to consider, especially when you’re moving vehicles across state lines. You’ll need to pay tax in the state where you’re registering the vehicle, so even if no state tax applies to the purchase you may have to pay it in your home state.
There are ways around this by registering your car elsewhere, but that’s not always something you want to mess with.
Last but not least, if you’re buying a car out of state and it’s across the country, it might not be feasible to drive it back home. In these cases, you’ll want to work with the best shipping companies like Easy Auto Ship to make sure your new car gets to you safely at a reasonable price.
Steps to Help You Buy a Car Out of State
When you’re buying a car out of state it’s a lengthy process, so it’s a good idea to know what each part of the process will look like.
To help you through the process we take you through the steps you can follow to buy a car out of state below.
- Find a car you like from a reputable dealer or private seller and begin the negotiation process.
- Review the history of the vehicle.
- Find out if you have to pass specific emissions regulations.
- Have the previous owner sign the back of the title and include the mileage and other crucial information.
- Register the vehicle in the state where you’ll drive/store it.
- Pay the state sales tax if you have to in your state.
- Get a car insurance quote from your company and insure your vehicle once you purchase it.
- Arrange for transport or drive your new car home.
Following these steps will make buying a car out of state as hassle-free as it can be.
Purchase a Car Out of State Today!
Buying a car out of state has never been easier. With smartphones and the internet you can even get the job done from the comfort of your home.
That said, you still have to make sure you go about the process correctly – the last thing you want is to end up shipping a car that’s not yours on accident. The good news is that we’ve covered everything you need to know in this guide.