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I'm planning to buy a vehicle in Miami Florida, which is lot cheaper than the price in Charlotte NC. What I should be aware of before I purchase this vehicle (from a dealer in Miami) and bring it to charlotte for registration in NC.
I just did this recently. I bought a car in Kentucky (which has a 6% sales tax) and drove it back to NC (which has a 3% highway use tax). The KY dealer sold it without tax and a temporary cardboard plate. When I got back, I visited the DMV with the title work and paid my NC fees, and they handed me the NC plates.
One little thing I learned, the NCDMV can only take 2 checks to make a title, because they have nowhere to enter a 3rd one on their computers.
I just did this 3 months ago. I highly recommend to get the vehicle inspected by a mechanic that is not the seller before committing to purchase it. This applies regardless of how new or old the car is or whether it is a CPO.
With regard to bringing it to NC .... you will first have to have the NC state inspection before you title/register it. Then you can go to the DMV with the purchase paperwork (including the previous title). At the DMV you will have to pay the 3% Highway Use Tax, the first year's personal property tax, and another $28 or so for issuing the title. They will give you the new NC plates on the spot.
Don't let them collect tax down in FL. Most likely they won't. Being in Miami though, they may not do a lot of out-of-state sales. You'll have to pay a 3% highway use tax based on the purchase price, plus your tag and title fee to get it registered in NC. Unless it's changed, FL shouldn't charge you any sales tax at all.
You may not have to have the inspection though like the previous poster noted. I just purchased a car from Texas, and NC didn't require an inspection. I also purchased a car from NJ in 2010 that didn't require inspection, but a car I bought from FL in 2005 did require NC inspection before I could get plates. I wouldn't get it done unless the DMV tells you to.
Thanks Sean_CLT, gators93 & Hollywood for your response. So I can purchase the vehicle in Miami, FL and make sure they don't charge me any tax, and if FL doesn't charge sales tax, that's much better.
Get the VIN number and pay to get a CarFax report on the vehicle. As someone suggests, get a reputable mechanic to go over the vehicle and give you a report. Spending the money for the report and a thorough inspection is money well spent.
Get the VIN number and pay to get a CarFax report on the vehicle. As someone suggests, get a reputable mechanic to go over the vehicle and give you a report. Spending the money for the report and a thorough inspection is money well spent.
Indeed. The car I bought from Florida was a classic car, and I brought a knowledgeable person with me. Also, auto-transport may not be a bad idea, as it'll probably cost you just as much to fly down there and drive it back (plus 2 days of your time more than likely). If you want a recommendation on a transporter, send me a direct message. I had the car from Texas transported in less than 48 hours after it was picked up.
Indeed. The car I bought from Florida was a classic car, and I brought a knowledgeable person with me. Also, auto-transport may not be a bad idea, as it'll probably cost you just as much to fly down there and drive it back (plus 2 days of your time more than likely). If you want a recommendation on a transporter, send me a direct message. I had the car from Texas transported in less than 48 hours after it was picked up.
Thanks for this input, didn't think of how I'll transport it.
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