It’s natural to forget about those toll roads you drove through all those months ago, but unfortunately, it’ll eventually catch up to you when you decide to sell your car. Selling a car with unpaid tolls is entirely possible, although there are extra steps to it.
Luckily, we’ve gathered everything you need to know in the process of selling a car with unpaid tolls in this very guide.
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Beware of the Risks
“What happens if I just keep ignoring it?”. If that thought has crossed your mind, it’s better to cross it out right now. Selling a car with unpaid tolls can create legal, financial, and logistical problems for both you and the buyer. Be aware of the key risks:
- Financial Liability: Tolls are tied to the vehicle owner and not the vehicle itself. This means late fees are going to pile up, you may receive collection notices even after the sale, and some toll agencies can send debts to collections, impacting your credit.
- Delayed Registration: The transportation authority may block registration renewal until tolls are paid. That means the car can’t go on public roads, and the buyer might get tickets for driving it.
- Buyer Complaints: If the buyer receives notices or has difficulty registering the car, they may demand reimbursement, claim you misrepresented the vehicle, or even attempt to cancel the sale.
- More Penalties: Selling the car doesn’t erase your past toll debt. Penalties on unpaid tolls from before you sold the car can still increase, because those violations remain your responsibility.
Checklist Before Selling a Car With Unpaid Tolls
Before selling a car with unpaid tolls, follow these steps to save yourself from future trouble:
- Check All Toll Balances: To check for unpaid tolls, just check your license plate with the relevant toll agency. Look for any unpaid tolls, violation notices, or administrative fees.
- Pay for Tolls: It’s better to pay everything before the sale is done, but if you can’t pay it, contact the toll agency and request a payment plan.
- Remove Vehicle From Toll Account: Remove the vehicle from your toll account and the transponder from the car. Update your license plate information if needed. These steps will prevent you from being billed for the buyer’s tolls.
- Gather Documents: Keep records of everything, including receipts for tolls and fees, a complete summary of toll transactions, and a copy of the agency’s toll liability policy. If the buyer questions you later, you’ll be ready.
- Prepare Bill of Sale: Include the full date and exact time of transfer. If the buyer runs through tolls after the sale, this is your proof that the responsibility is not on you anymore.
Read Also: Selling a Car With Mechanical Problems
Conclusion
Selling a car with unpaid tolls can create complications, but the risks are easy to manage. Just make sure you understand the implications of a car with unpaid tolls, and be transparent with your buyers.
And if you decide you don’t want to deal with private sale, Scrap Auto Removal is at your service.
