How to Buy a Car in North Carolina
Photo by Johnathan Ciarrocca on Unsplash
North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. According to a study by U.S. News, NC ranks #4 in fiscal stability, and has one of the highest college graduation rates in the country.
Several North Carolina cities were also voted among the top 25 places to retire in the States. All of this means that people both young and old are flocking to the “Tar Heel State” every day.
If you’re one of these recently-arrived residents, you probably have a lot of questions to ask about your new home. And if one of those questions is about your new North Carolina wheels, Copilot has the answer. We might not be able to tell you where the best BBQ is or how to get to the post office. But we do know how to buy a car in North Carolina, and we’re here to make sure you do, too.
How to Buy a Car in North Carolina: Specific Laws and Paperwork
The North Carolina DMV asks for lots of different documents when registering your new vehicle. And you might need to bring different paperwork depending on whether you’re new to the state, or a long-time resident. If you just moved in, you will need:
- Your North Carolina driver’s license. New residents to the state need to apply for one before they can register a vehicle.
- Proof of insurance. If you’re new to the state, you should tell your insurance you’ve moved before you go to the DMV.
- A notarized vehicle title. In some states, you can just fill out the title transfer and take it straight to the DMV. But in North Carolina you have to get it stamped by a notary public before you can register.
- A title application form, filled out by you, and anyone else you want on the title, such as a spouse.
- A declaration of eligible risk. This is a document which proves that you either have insurance or are eligible for insurance in North Carolina. If you are already a resident of the state, you will need a few more pieces of paperwork:
- A damage disclosure statement, showing if the vehicle you’re registering has been salvaged, totaled, etc.
- An odometer disclosure statement, saying whether the car’s or truck’s mileage reading is accurate.
- And finally, a bill of sale. You should also plan on paying $40 for your new title, and between $28 and $51.60 to register, depending on the weight class of your new vehicle. You will also be charged a 3% sales tax, and an extra $5 if you live in Wake, Durham, or Orange county.
Keep in mind that the state can refuse registration. So before you take your money and your documents to the DMV, make sure your child support, taxes, and previous DMV fees are all squared away.
It’s also important to know that what you pay for is what you get in North Carolina. Some other states have what are called “lemon laws,” that protect you from shifty dealers and dishonest private sellers.
In NC, you can only get your money back on a damaged vehicle if that car is new. So the state encourages would-be car buyers to ask lots of questions before they commit to a purchase.
One last thing: once you finally get on the road, go the speed limit. Both of them. North Carolina is one of 6 states in the U.S. where you can be ticketed for driving too slowly. So make sure you step on it – but not too much!
GET A CURATED LIST OF THE BEST LISTINGS IN NORTH CAROLINA
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll send you a curated list of the best used car listings in your area - no more scrolling through hundreds of listings looking for hidden gems.
How to Buy a Car in North Carolina From the Owner
Buying a used car in North Carolina is easy as long as you have the paperwork. Because NC requires title transfers to be notarized, car sales should happen at a notary public’s office. Both you and the seller will need to sign the document in order to receive the notary stamp.
North Carolina also recently enacted a law which allows notaries to meet with their clients via video conference. As long as your notary is physically in the state of North Carolina, you can have your title transfer approved at a distance, if you choose.
Once you’ve purchased your vehicle, you need to take it for a safety inspection before it can be registered. During the inspection, a mechanic will examine vital parts of the vehicle including brakes, headlights, steering, etc. to make sure it’s safe to drive. 22 counties in NC also require you to get an emissions test, unless your vehicle is over 35 years old.
It’s also possible for you to save money on a used car if you buy it from a spouse, parent, stepparent, or child. North Carolina doesn’t charge tax on title transfers between family members, as long as they bring a filled-out Highway Use Tax Exemption Certificate with them to registration.
IS GAP INSURANCE WORTH IT?
Gap insurance can prevent you from making payments on an already-totalled car, but is gap insurance worth it? We break down what gap insurance is, if it’s worth it, and more - simply and with plenty of examples.
How to Buy a Car in North Carolina from a Dealer New
When you buy a new car, you will pay most of the titling fees directly to the dealer, who files the initial paperwork for you. It’s important to know that in North Carolina the advertised price of a new vehicle doesn’t include the cost of these fees or other expenses like sales or drive tax, so make sure you factor that into your budget when researching the car you want.
If you’re going for new and have an older vehicle you want to get rid of, consider trading in. It’s possible that a dealership will credit you the cost of the old vehicle and put that dollar amount towards your new car. In North Carolina, only the outstanding amount after the trade-in rebate can be taxed. Doing it this way might take a little extra time, but will save you lots of money.
Also make sure you ask about any damage or defects. Lemon laws will protect you if you buy a faulty new vehicle, but only if you have the paperwork to back it up. NC dealers aren’t legally required to tell you if anything is wrong with your car unless you ask them. Make sure before you sign any purchase agreements that you have a warranty drawn up, or a written statement from the dealer which says that everything is in good working order.
GET A CURATED LIST OF THE BEST USED CARS IN NORTH CAROLINA
The CoPilot app is the smartest way to buy a car. We search through all of the listings from all of the dealerships in your area and put together personalized lists of the best used car deals that match your preferences.
Used
Once you’ve found a vehicle you like, it’s always helpful to do some independent research before you speak to the dealer. Dealerships usually tack a markup onto car prices, and a quick peek at Kelley Blue Book will give you a good idea of how much the vehicle is actually worth. Don’t be afraid to negotiate: most dealerships expect this.
While lemon laws don’t apply to used vehicles in North Carolina, you can still get a guarantee by asking your dealer if the car you’re interested in is still under warranty. If it is, ask about purchasing an extended warranty so you can get better protection for more miles.
Get a curated list of the best used cars near you
Copilot is a personal car expert that fits in the palm of your hand. We’re dedicated to helping you find the right car for you, no matter where you live.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars 5 years or newer with low mileage - CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices - just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
