When you purchase a pre-owned vehicle from a private party, there are a few more steps to navigate. Fortunately, we’ve figured out how to make the process a whole lot easier. Read on to learn what to do—and how PrivateAuto can help.
Find a car
Find the Right Car at the Right Price
Most likely, you’ll be shopping for private-party used cars online, which means you’ll be using one of the many websites dedicated to this purpose. After defining your vehicle needs and budget, it’s time to start your search.
Start Searching
When it comes to finding a car online, here are your options for finding the perfect private-party used car for you:
a. Local classifieds such as KSL Cars
b. National classifieds such as Craigslist and OfferUp.
While these places can be great resources to find what you’re looking for, they fall short when it comes time for the transaction. That’s why we refer to them as “meetingplaces” instead of true marketplaces.
PrivateAuto is a transactional marketplace that offers self-serve technology solutions for every part of the deal. If you’d like to see how stress-free and simple buying privately can be, browse our used cars for sale to start the process.
We don’t hate other listing sites. Some have a lot more private-party car inventory than we do. But we still want you to have the transactional security and convenience that our users enjoy.
That’s why DealNow was created. DealNow is the easiest way to close your own vehicle deal, anytime. It’s the safe and simple way to avoid fraud, sign documents, and instantly transfer money, all in one app
Get your deal started now!
- Auction websites such as Bring a Trailer and eBay Motors
- Online classifieds
b. National classifieds such as Craigslist and OfferUp.
- Vehicle listing sites such as Autotrader
- Social media listings (e.g., cars for sale on Facebook Marketplace)
While these places can be great resources to find what you’re looking for, they fall short when it comes time for the transaction. That’s why we refer to them as “meetingplaces” instead of true marketplaces.
PrivateAuto is a transactional marketplace that offers self-serve technology solutions for every part of the deal. If you’d like to see how stress-free and simple buying privately can be, browse our used cars for sale to start the process.
We don’t hate other listing sites. Some have a lot more private-party car inventory than we do. But we still want you to have the transactional security and convenience that our users enjoy.
That’s why DealNow was created. DealNow is the easiest way to close your own vehicle deal, anytime. It’s the safe and simple way to avoid fraud, sign documents, and instantly transfer money, all in one app
Get your deal started now!
Agree on a price
Get the Best Deal
You want to get the very best car for your budget. PrivateAuto allows you to make offers on cars for sale. You never know if the vehicle’s owner will accept less than their asking price if you don’t ask.
On other sites, you’d have to message the seller and have an awkward conversation. PrivateAuto lets you make an offer with the click of a button. The seller can then accept, reject, or counteroffer.
On other sites, you’d have to message the seller and have an awkward conversation. PrivateAuto lets you make an offer with the click of a button. The seller can then accept, reject, or counteroffer.
Research the Car
Smart buyers want to know about the car they’re paying for. The two best ways to learn about a vehicle’s background are a vehicle history report and research on the car’s title.
Vehicle History Report
A vehicle history report is a really smart idea when buying a used car. It covers ownership history and maintenance records and shows you how well the seller cared for the car.
PrivateAuto provides a vehicle history report for all premium listings, for your peace of mind.
Here are some reasons vehicle history reports are good to have.
1. You know how well the car has been cared for.
2. You have visibility into any accidents or insurance claims.
3. You can see service records, major repairs, and other work.
A vehicle history report can help you steer clear of buying a faulty used car and help you identify the good ones.
PrivateAuto provides a vehicle history report for all premium listings, for your peace of mind.
Here are some reasons vehicle history reports are good to have.
1. You know how well the car has been cared for.
2. You have visibility into any accidents or insurance claims.
3. You can see service records, major repairs, and other work.
A vehicle history report can help you steer clear of buying a faulty used car and help you identify the good ones.
Conduct Title Research
Before meeting up with the seller, it’s good to do preliminary research on the car title.
The best way is to use the National Insurance Crime Bureau website and research the title of a vehicle to protect yourself from fraud.
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes sellers will attempt to mislead or outright deceive. For instance, they may try to pass off a salvage title as clean.
Good title research will help you check for:
1. Reports of the car having been stolen
2. The car has been declared a total loss in an insurance claim
3. An outstanding lien (or lien release)
Just ask the seller for their full name and the vehicle identification number (VIN) in advance of meeting up. Run the title check, and have one less thing to worry about.
The best way is to use the National Insurance Crime Bureau website and research the title of a vehicle to protect yourself from fraud.
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes sellers will attempt to mislead or outright deceive. For instance, they may try to pass off a salvage title as clean.
Good title research will help you check for:
1. Reports of the car having been stolen
2. The car has been declared a total loss in an insurance claim
3. An outstanding lien (or lien release)
Just ask the seller for their full name and the vehicle identification number (VIN) in advance of meeting up. Run the title check, and have one less thing to worry about.
Take the car for a test drive
Take the Car For a Spin
We let you arrange the test drive in a safe, easy, and convenient manner that never reveals your personal information to the seller.
1. Our handy in-app scheduler allows you to pick from the time slots the seller has chosen. No back-and-forth conversations. You’ll also see the seller’s preferred meetup location.
2. You can opt to transact with verified sellers only, which tends to weed out bad actors who prefer to operate in the shadows.
You’ll schedule the test drive in seconds without ever needing to contact the seller. It’s just one of the many ways we streamline private car purchases.
1. Our handy in-app scheduler allows you to pick from the time slots the seller has chosen. No back-and-forth conversations. You’ll also see the seller’s preferred meetup location.
2. You can opt to transact with verified sellers only, which tends to weed out bad actors who prefer to operate in the shadows.
You’ll schedule the test drive in seconds without ever needing to contact the seller. It’s just one of the many ways we streamline private car purchases.
Take care of the documentation
Complete Wisconsin Paperwork
Paperwork is a critical part of the transaction process. Here is the paperwork involved in a Wisconsin used car transaction:
1. Title
2. Bill of sale
3. Emissions testing
1. Title
2. Bill of sale
3. Emissions testing
Wisconsin Certificate of Title
You and the seller need to fill out the official Wisconsin Certificate of Title. A Wisconsin title will require you and the seller to complete the following information at the time of the sale the following info:
1. Odometer disclosure
2. Seller’s hand-printed name, signature, and address (if there is more than one seller listed on the title, both sellers will need to sign)
3. Date of sale
4. Purchase price
5. Your hand-printed name and signature
1. Odometer disclosure
2. Seller’s hand-printed name, signature, and address (if there is more than one seller listed on the title, both sellers will need to sign)
3. Date of sale
4. Purchase price
5. Your hand-printed name and signature
Wisconsin Bill of Sale
While Wisconsin doesn’t require a bill of sale, we recommend you always complete one with the seller. A bill of sale protects you by memorializing the terms of the sale, the VIN, the selling price, mileage, and the names and signatures of both parties. If the seller ever wants to contest the transaction or any part of it, you have their signature on a legal document with all of the terms and details to back you up.
PrivateAuto makes it easy with an official Wisconsin bill of sale right in our app. You and the seller review the details, and then digitally sign the bill of sale after inspecting the car. No printing or scanning—simply sign electronically in the PrivateAuto mobile app. It’s stored in your PrivateAuto account as a reference, should you ever need it.
PrivateAuto makes it easy with an official Wisconsin bill of sale right in our app. You and the seller review the details, and then digitally sign the bill of sale after inspecting the car. No printing or scanning—simply sign electronically in the PrivateAuto mobile app. It’s stored in your PrivateAuto account as a reference, should you ever need it.
Emissions testing
According to the Wisconsin Vehicle Inspection Program (WIVIP) seven Wisconsin counties require emissions inspections:
1. Kenosha
2. Milwaukee
3. Ozaukee
4. Racine
5. Sheboygan
6. Washington
7. Waukesha
In most of these counties, emissions testing is done for free at a mechanics shop of your choice.
1. Kenosha
2. Milwaukee
3. Ozaukee
4. Racine
5. Sheboygan
6. Washington
7. Waukesha
In most of these counties, emissions testing is done for free at a mechanics shop of your choice.
Pay the seller
Make the Payment
Before PrivateAuto Pay, there weren’t any great ways to send large sums of money to a vehicle seller. Cash is inconvenient and risky, PayPal has fees, Venmo and Zelle have low transfer limits, and checks and wire transfers are slow and unwieldy.
We got tired of the limitations associated with existing payment methods, so we created PrivateAuto Pay. Here’s how it works:
You’ll never want to buy a car any other way. Even if you’re buying a car on a different website, you can just invite the seller to DealNow and enjoy all the same benefits.
We got tired of the limitations associated with existing payment methods, so we created PrivateAuto Pay. Here’s how it works:
- No transfer fees.
- Instantaneous transfers. Close the deal when you meet for the test drive.
- Works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. No coordinating around banker’s hours.
- No exchange of contact or banking info.
- Act as your own escrow service with our secure deal flow.
You’ll never want to buy a car any other way. Even if you’re buying a car on a different website, you can just invite the seller to DealNow and enjoy all the same benefits.
Transfer ownership
Title and registration
Wisconsin Title Transfer and Registration
After the title is signed over to you, you’ll go to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) office to complete the title transfer process. At the same time, you’ll register the vehicle in your name, get new license plates, and pay your Wisconsin sales tax owed.
Here’s what you’ll need to provide when you transfer your car’s title at the DOT office:
Read our complete guide to a Wisconsin title transfer for more info on the subject.
Here’s what you’ll need to provide when you transfer your car’s title at the DOT office:
- The Certificate of Title, signed over to you by the previous vehicle owner
- A completed Wisconsin Title and License Plate Application
- Lien information (if applicable)
- Payment for the Wisconsin vehicle sales tax: 5% of the purchase price
- Payment for Wisconsin’s vehicle title transfer fee: $164.50
- Payment for Wisconsin registration: $85
- Payment for the county wheel tax
- Valid ID or driver’s license
- Proof of insurance
Read our complete guide to a Wisconsin title transfer for more info on the subject.
Should I Buy from a Dealer or a Private Seller?
Here at PrivateAuto, we’re big fans of the private seller route. Here are the advantages of purchasing from a private party:
1. Get a better price by cutting out the middleman and going to the source. Dealers must buy low and sell high to make a spread and keep the lights on. You don’t need to help out with that.
2. Avoid fees. Car dealers charge documentation fees that range from $50 to over $1,000.
3. You drive the deal on your terms: PrivateAuto allows you to make offers and negotiate the best deal directly with the seller.
4. In some states, buying from a private seller means no vehicle sales tax. For example, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada charge sales tax on retail (dealership) car purchases, but not private-party ones.
We think you should be able to complete a private-party transaction as easily as you could buy a used car from a dealership. Read on to see how we can make this possible.
1. Get a better price by cutting out the middleman and going to the source. Dealers must buy low and sell high to make a spread and keep the lights on. You don’t need to help out with that.
2. Avoid fees. Car dealers charge documentation fees that range from $50 to over $1,000.
3. You drive the deal on your terms: PrivateAuto allows you to make offers and negotiate the best deal directly with the seller.
4. In some states, buying from a private seller means no vehicle sales tax. For example, Arizona, Hawaii, and Nevada charge sales tax on retail (dealership) car purchases, but not private-party ones.
We think you should be able to complete a private-party transaction as easily as you could buy a used car from a dealership. Read on to see how we can make this possible.
Wisconsin Vehicle FAQ
How much are standard license plates in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, the standard “Dairyland” passenger vehicle plate is included with the _registration fee_. Meaning that it’s free…sort of.
You’ll receive the classic Dairyland plates when:
– Registering a vehicle in your name
– Replacing lost, damaged, or stolen plates
– Trading down from specialty plates to standard plates
For more info on Wisconsin’s license plate types, visit the official Wisconsin Department Of Transportation page.
See our article on Wisconsin license plate costs for the full scoop.
How do I transfer a title online in Wisconsin?
To transfer a vehicle title to your name online in Wisconsin, you will need the following:
– A printer to print off your temp plate (if applicable) and your eApplication/receipt.
– A valid email address from which to send your eApplication/receipt and _temporary license plate_
– A Wisconsin driver’s license or identification card, the last four digits of your social security number, and date of birth.
– The vehicle title, signed by the seller
How much is a vehicle registration renewal fee in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s vehicle registration fee is $85.00. Here are some other factors to be aware of:
1. If your decals have already expired, you will be charged a $10 late fee when renewing them.
2. You may be required to pay local fees with your renewal, depending on your county or municipality. These can range from $10 to $30.
What if I want to sell my car in Wisconsin?
If you’re looking to sell your car instead of buying one, PrivateAuto gives you all the tools you need to do so safely, quickly, and conveniently.
Here are the steps to sell your car in Wisconsin:
1. Create a listing
2. Choose a buyer
3. Meet for the test drive
4. Sign the bill of sale
5. Get paid with PrivateAuto Pay
6. Sign over the title
7. Take off your license plates
So easy.
Is there a lemon law for used cars in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s lemon law applies to retail (dealership) vehicle purchases. Private-party purchases are “as-is” meaning that you assume all the risk. That’s why you need to do a title check, vehicle history report, and inspection on the vehicle.
Can I use my old license plates on my new car in Wisconsin?
A Wisconsin license plate can be transferred to your new car if the previous vehicle was registered under your name.
Helpful Resources For Buying A Car
Caleb Whittle
Contributing Author
Caleb Whittle is the Chief Marketing Officer at PrivateAuto. He’s based in Utah and has had a passion for education and learning throughout his life. Helping others understand the nuances of buying & selling cars has become his mission through content creation and writing. His current dream car is a Tesla Model S Plaid.