What Paperwork Do I Need To Sell My Car in Illinois?

If you have plans in selling a car in Illinois, you must have the needed paperwork, and be familiar with the process, to make the sale official. According to the car sales statistics by Carsurance, Illinois has 4,655,844 registered vehicles, and to give you a little trivia, the most popular car sold in the state in 2019, is Toyota Camry. A percentage of these used cars are most likely to be sold in the market over time. As a seller, you must know about the essential documents you need to complete, as this will serve as your legal proof that you have sold your vehicle. Why do we need these legal documents anyway? A legal document is defined as a signed and sealed writing to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it. The buyer and the seller need to have the necessary documentation for filing and legal purposes. We have provided an in-depth guide on what specific documents you need to have when you sell a used car in Illinois. 

The Documents

Car Registration

You must have your car registration when selling your vehicle. Most times, you have this inside your car, and it serves as proof to legally drive your vehicle in Illinois. If in case it’s missing or damaged and you can request a duplicate of your registration by phone, online, mail, or in-person.

Notice of Sale Form

You will need to advise the Illinois Secretary of State that you have sold your car. It is different from transferring the car title. You must complete the Notice of Sale form that is the detachable form at the bottom of the title. The seller is required to fill it out, mail it, or submit it in person to the Secretary of State of Illinois. The Notice of Sale can help protect the seller if the buyer was not able to get a new title and if an issue arises.

Odometer Disclosure Statement Form

An odometer or odograph is an instrument used for measuring the distance traveled by a vehicle and found on your car’s dashboard. You are required to submit an accurate odometer reading whenever you sell or buy a car. You should also indicate if the odometer is adjusted or repaired. It is useful for uncovering odometer tampering as the report includes a record of the previous odometer readings. The Odometer Disclosure Statement Form is required in all 50 states and is usually attached to the Bill of Sale. It is for vehicles below 16,000 pounds and under ten years. On the other hand, most states exempt work vehicles or those older than ten years. Each state has its Odometer disclosure form. In Illinois, you will need Form VSD 333.4. The said paperwork is required when the buyer applies for new registration together with the other documents. In reporting the odometer reading, you can write “actual mileage” if the mileage is correct and “not actual mileage” if the odometer is damaged or not working. If in case the odometer reading says 1, you can write “exceeds mileage limits.” It means that the odometer has reached its highest point and has started over at 1. Please know that digital odometers should not roll over to zero.

Vehicle History Report

It will be a good thing if you have prepared your Vehicle History Report (VHR) since a car buyer usually asks for it. Providing this document will make it easier for you to sell your car, so it is best to give honest and accurate information about your vehicle, as it will reflect in the report. A Vehicle History Report contains a range of details on a car, including past ownerships, odometer readings, open recalls and damage, accidents or repairs, theft history, and any liens held on the vehicle. CarFax or Autocheck can provide it for free but for only limited information. If you need a thorough detail about your car’s history, it may require a fee. You can also request a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) look-up through some car dealerships, and they can also provide you this report.

Vehicle Title

Another required document is an Illinois Car Title. You should have the title so it can be officially transferred to the buyer. If in case the title was lost, damaged, or stolen, you can request a duplicate through mail or in-person to the Vehicle Records Processing Division of the Illinois Secretary of State. Once you have the title, you are required to sign the “Assignment of Title” part. You will need to include the mileage and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN on the title should match the VIN on the vehicle. Most cars have it in front of the vehicle’s dashboard on the driver’s side. It can also be present on the side door pillar. It is also required to complete the information on the back of the title. Other than the mileage and the VIN, you will need to include the buyer’s information. Both the buyer and the seller should sign the title. If there is a co-owner, they must also sign the title before transferring it to the buyer. Please keep a copy of it for your own reference.

Bill of Sale

A Bill of Sale is a document in writing that details the sale or transfer of a vehicle or property. There is no official Vehicle Bill of Sale in Illinois. Having a Bill of Sale is highly suggested as it can protect you in case the new owner fails to register or abandons the vehicle. You may provide a Bill of Sale for the buyer and keep a copy for your reference. This document will provide proof of the details of the sale, the vehicle, names of the buyer and seller, their addresses, and phone numbers. You and the buyer can sign the Bill of Sale in front of the Notary Public and have it notarized. The buyer will need the Bill of Sale in applying for Registration.

Seller’s Report of Sale, Form VSD 703

A Seller’s Report of Sale or also known as Form VSD 703, is the documentation required to complete the sale. You may download it online and have it printed or obtain it from the Illinois Secretary of State Office. It will remove you from any liability from the sold car. You should have it completed with the buyer and have it signed. Then you can submit this to the Illinois Secretary of State Vehicle Services Department and have your license plates returned if you will no longer use them. Take the documents to your local field office or mail it to:

Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department Record Inquiry
501 S. Second St., Rm. 408 Springfield, IL 62756

💡 Remember: Cancel your Insurance and know how to cancel license plates. You may transfer them to your new vehicle or if not, you will need to return them to the Illinois Secretary of State.

LOOKING FOR A CAR BUYER THAT CAN PAY A GOOD PRICE?

“Sell My Car In Chicago with Enrique for Cash” is one of the high paying car buyers in Chicago. You can sell your car with less effort and no hassle. We also follow CDC standards to protect us and the buyer in line with the current worldwide health situation. All you need is to get a free quote online or call us today at (224) 236-7010. We will soon get back to you with an offer. If you agree, we will schedule to visit you and inspect the vehicle. Once inspected, we will let you sign the needed paperwork and pay you with cash! It is the most convenient selling process, especially in times like this. Call us or Get a Free Quote Now!