Selling a Car to Company that Pays Cash - California (vehicles, auto)

[djxpress]

I'm in the process of selling my car to one of those Cash 4 Cars type places that buys vehicles and then sells them on a lot or auctions them off. They pay cash on the spot. My questions here in California is that the DMV website says the seller is supposed to obtain a smog certificate less than 90 days old to give to the buyer upon sale of the car.

How is this handled with companies like CarMax, Auto Connection, etc - since hundreds if not thousands of prospective customers go in and sell their car on the spot, without a < 90 day smog cert?

[reed303]

So you get the smog check done, THEN go to CarMax or wherever and sell the car. Probably could be done same day if lines at smog check aren't too long.

[djxpress]

but the companies don't seem to require it, or even ask for the smog cert

[JONOV]

Are you sure this is the case when you're selling to someone with a dealership license?

[Me007gold]

Originally Posted by djxpress

but the companies don't seem to require it, or even ask for the smog cert

So call them and ask them.

[jeffrow1]

Selling to a dealer is considered a wholesale transaction, no smog needed. When you sell a car to a private party a smog is then required as it is a retail transaction.