Can you buy a used vehicle out-of-state? | OK Carz

Image of a vehicle title overlaid with text reading buying a vehicle from a different state

What to do if you’re buying a car in a different state 

When you’re looking to buy a car, it is likely that you’ve been searching high and low to find one that is exactly the right fit for you and your needs. In some cases, it can feel like a miracle when you finally stumble across a vehicle that is absolutely perfect for you. However, in some cases, it seems like that perfection could easily slip away if the model you’re looking for isn’t available in your area. Sometimes finding the perfect vehicle, even when unavailable near you, is as easy as hopping over to the next town. In some cases, you won’t be as lucky and may have to look outside of your state to find the vehicle you want.  

Buying a vehicle across state lines is only a little bit harder than going to the dealership down the street to purchase your car. The main thing to worry about when buying a vehicle out-of-state is the sales tax. While you may be buying the vehicle in a state with little to no sales tax, you won’t be paying sales tax for that state. Depending on which state you are from, and where you’re buying the vehicle, the dealership may handle the entire transaction for you, including passing along the sales tax your home state. If they won’t deal with it for you, you’ll have to find which agency your sales tax needs to be sent to before you register your vehicle.  

[Related: What should everyone know about their car?]

Registering an out-of-state vehicle 

man and woman shaking hands while sitting at at desk in a car dealership as the woman hands over a $100 billAgain, depending on where you buy the vehicle, it will likely be temporarily registered and then need to be re-registered and titled in your state. To be safe, work something out with the help of the DMV in the state you are buying from so you can be certain that you’ll be taking your vehicle home with you. If you need to use vehicle financing to buy your vehicle, you won’t be impeded by the fact that you’re buying a vehicle in a state other than your own. It is not likely that you’ll have to arrive at the dealership with financing in hand, though you can go through your local bank for financing if that is what makes you the most comfortable.  

While it isn’t particularly difficult to buy a vehicle out-of-state, you can avoid all of the potential headaches by simply visiting a local dealership, like OkCarz. With five locations, OkCarz has a wide variety of used models, so you’re sure to find something that fits your needs. Learn more about financing options, and view the inventory online, or visit one of the five locations in Florida.  

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