How to Sell a Car Privately in Oregon
Selling your car yourself in Oregon comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Oregon Department of Transportation, Driver & Motor Vehicle Services and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- The seller signs and dates either the back of the title or a Bill of Sale and includes the buyer's name and address. oregon.gov
- The seller remains the listed owner until the buyer transfers the title. oregon.gov
- The buyer must apply for a title within 30 days of the transfer. oregonlegislature.gov
- A title transfer 31 to 60 days after the sale carries a $25 late fee, and one after 60 days carries a $50 fee. oregon.gov
Bill of sale
- A Bill of Sale can be DMV's Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form 501) or a separate document. oregon.gov
- A Bill of Sale needs at least the VIN, a statement releasing interest in the vehicle, the seller's printed name and signature, and the date of sale. oregon.gov
- Form 501 must carry the seller's original signature in blue or black ink, with no white-out or strike-throughs on names. oregon.gov
Odometer disclosure
- An odometer disclosure is required for vehicles that are model year 2011 or newer and under 20 years old, and the seller and buyer both sign it on the back of the title. oregon.gov
- No disclosure is needed for model year 2010 or older, trailers or campers, vehicles over 16,000 pounds gross weight rating, vehicles without an odometer, or transfers where at least one owner stays on the title. oregon.gov
- DMV does not record voluntary odometer readings that are not required. oregon.gov
Inspections and emissions
- Vehicles registered in the Portland or Medford DEQ testing areas must pass an emissions test, with Portland covering 1975 and newer gasoline vehicles and Medford covering vehicles 20 years old or less. oregon.gov
- Recent model years are exempt from DEQ testing, and vehicles registered outside the testing boundaries are exempt. oregon.gov
- The emissions certificate is generally valid for six months after the test date. oregon.gov
Telling the state you sold the car
- The seller must notify DMV of the sale within 10 days, through DMV2U. oregon.gov
- A seller who has notified DOT of the transfer and assigned the title to the buyer is not subject to civil or criminal liability under the Oregon Vehicle Code for the buyer's parking, abandoning or operating the vehicle. oregonlegislature.gov
- The notice is for informational purposes only and does not assign or release any interest in the vehicle. oregonlegislature.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- Oregon does not have a general sales tax. oregon.gov
- Title fees range from $101 to $192 for passenger vehicles depending on fuel economy or electric type, and the same chart applies to title transfers. oregon.gov
- Registration fees for a two-year passenger vehicle registration range from $126 to $376 depending on fuel economy, with higher fees in some counties. oregon.gov
Loans and liens
- A vehicle cannot be sold, donated or gifted while a loan on it is unpaid. oregon.gov
- The lienholder must sign the front of the title or provide a separate signed statement releasing its interest. oregon.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- Oregon will not title a junk vehicle that another state has determined to be non-repairable. oregon.gov
- Oregon titles carry brands such as Totaled, Reconstructed, Replica and Lemon Law Buyback. oregon.gov
- A broken odometer is marked 'not readable' (blank) or 'not actual' (stuck), and neither brand can be removed from the title. oregon.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Oregon?
A Bill of Sale can be DMV's Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form 501) or a separate document. A Bill of Sale needs at least the VIN, a statement releasing interest in the vehicle, the seller's printed name and signature, and the date of sale.
Is an odometer disclosure required when selling a car in Oregon?
An odometer disclosure is required for vehicles that are model year 2011 or newer and under 20 years old, and the seller and buyer both sign it on the back of the title. No disclosure is needed for model year 2010 or older, trailers or campers, vehicles over 16,000 pounds gross weight rating, vehicles without an odometer, or transfers where at least one owner stays on the title.
Do I have to tell the state I sold my car in Oregon?
The seller must notify DMV of the sale within 10 days, through DMV2U. A seller who has notified DOT of the transfer and assigned the title to the buyer is not subject to civil or criminal liability under the Oregon Vehicle Code for the buyer's parking, abandoning or operating the vehicle.
Official Oregon resources
- Oregon DMV: Buying or selling a vehicle
- Oregon DMV: Odometer disclosure
- Oregon DMV: Vehicle Bill of Sale (Form 501)
- Oregon DMV: Vehicle title, registration and permit fees
- Oregon DMV: Titling and registering your vehicle
- Oregon DMV: Title brands and salvage
- Oregon DEQ: Vehicles required to test
- Oregon Revised Statutes chapter 803
Next steps
Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.