Buying and Selling

Buyer's Responsibilities:

• Check Motor Vehicle Verification System  to confirm vehicle has not been reported stolen.

• Check National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (Please note there is a fee for this service) to Research Vehicle History .

• Check National Insurance Crime Bureau  to confirm vehicle has not been declared a total loss.

• Go to the county motor vehicle office, in the county in which buyer lives, to obtain a temporary permit.

• Buyer must present documents received from the seller (see Seller's Responsibilities below), proof of insurance, as well as Secure and Verifiable Identification (DR 2841),  to the clerk to obtain the temporary permit. 

Seller's Responsibilities

(Provide the following items to the buyer)

Title

Provide the Colorado Certificate of Title. If there is more than one owner named on the front of the Certificate of Title, all owners must print and sign their name as seller.  Enter purchase price and date. After Hours Purchase C.R.S. 42-3-115(2)(b), C.R.S. 42-6-113;  A buyer of a vehicle may operate a vehicle on the highway prior to registering the vehicle when:

• The buyer has purchased the motor vehicle within the last 36 hours from a person who is not a licensed motor vehicle dealer.

• The vehicle was purchased either on a Saturday, on a Sunday, on a legal holiday, or between 5p.m. and 8 a.m.

• The vehicle is being driven from the place where the seller stored the vehicle to the place where the buyer intends to store the vehicle.

 

License Plates

Seller keeps license plates. These should be removed from the vehicle.​

Emissions

An emissions inspection certificate is required if the buyer lives in an emissions area.

• The buyer must carry in the vehicle:

  • A bill of sale that identifies the vehicle by year, make and VIN and shows the time and date of sale and is signed by both the buyer and the seller.

  • Proof of insurance.

• Fill in the name(s) and addresses of the buyer at this time.

• Complete odometer disclosure reading and indicator information on the Certificate of Title or it may be disclosed on the DR2173 Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale form which can be purchased through the following vendors: 

  • Colorado Auto Dealers Association, 

  • Colorado Independent Automobile Dealers Association, 

  • A-B-C Enterprises, 

  • Colorado Automobile/Powersports Support Services and BML Dealer Supplies and Title Service

• If the title has been branded “Rebuilt from Salvage”, the seller must complete the Rebuilt from Salvage Disclosure. If reason for Salvage is unknown, a vehicle record search must be completed to determine the reason the vehicle was salvaged

• Within 5 days the seller has the option to report the transfer of ownership either online via myDMV.colorado.gov (using the Report Release of Liability under Vehicle Services) or at their county motor vehicle office

 

Do I Need a Bill of Sale?

If you are purchasing a vehicle through a dealership, a secure bill of sale will be used. If you are purchasing a vehicle from or selling a vehicle to another private party, the buyer needs a Bill of Sale.

Helpful Links:

Complaints against Auto Dealers can be filed in writing to the Auto Industry Division.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall information

National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) Vehicle History for consumers video (closed caption) (Español) (Subtítulos)