Can You Sell a Car Without Registration?

When you’re searching for a new car, you’re sure to have a lot of questions when it comes to car buying and selling. Some questions you may be asking are: “Can you sell a car without registration?” or “Can you sell a car with expired registration?” The short answer is: Yes, you can! Follow along with the team at Greenlight Auto Credit as we cover tips for selling an unregistered car and the difference between a car title vs. registration. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team!

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Car Title vs. Registration

If you’re considering selling an unregistered car, you can do so without hassle through a private seller or dealership. However, you have to be the owner of the vehicle. This is where the distinction between car title vs. registration comes into play:

Car Title

After finding a car that you want to purchase outright, your name appears on the car title, which is the legal document that shows the car is legally yours. When it comes to financing a vehicle, the lender is listed as the lienholder (secured party) of the vehicle until the loan is fully paid off.  

Registration

Comparing the car title vs. registration, the vehicle registration is the vehicle that was registered in a specific state and was issued a license plate. It lists the owner, vehicle identification number (VIN), and the state where it’s registered.

Selling an Unregistered Car 

So, when wondering, “Can you sell a car without registration?” or “Can you sell a car with expired registration?” The answer depends on whether you have a clear title and if anyone else can claim the vehicle as their own. 

There can be many reasons for having an unregistered or expired registration, from the vehicle not being used recently to having it registered in a different state than where you’re selling it. However, when trying to sell, remember that an unregistered vehicle cannot be driven on the street. 

Be sure to review the state’s requirements when it comes to vehicle registration. While not all states require some type of registration at all times, most do. Depending on the state, you may want to consider applying for a temporary or specialty registration, such as for a non-operational vehicle.

Answer Your Car Financing Questions with Greenlight Auto Credit!

Now that you know, “can you sell a car with an expired registration,” or no registration, turn to the team at Greenlight Auto Credit for more car financing information. Read on about how an auto loan can improve your credit score or ways to get a loan without any credit. You don’t have to be left out in the car buying process.