Selling a car in Indiana: the paperwork
| Indiana seller rules at a glance | What applies |
|---|---|
| License plates | Seller removes and keeps them |
| Duplicate title | Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle, State Form 205; $15 |
| Junk without a title | Allowed in some cases (State Form 55018, Application for Certificate of Authority, Disposal of a Vehicle) |
Title questions, duplicate titles and release of liability forms are handled by the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Compare these rules with other states on our seller rules by state page. After the sale, cancel your insurance once the car is gone. Our after-sale checklist covers each step.
No obligation.
Where we pick up in Indiana
We buy cars in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, South Bend and Carmel, and in every other town in Indiana a tow truck can reach. Pickup is free wherever the car is, from a city driveway to a farm lot, and you're paid before it's loaded.
We buy cars all over Indiana, from Indianapolis and Fort Wayne to Evansville and the Region.
How it works in Indiana
Get your offer
Tell us the year, make, model and condition, or start with your VIN. Your cash offer is good for 7 days.
Pick a pickup time
Choose when and where. Towing is free anywhere in Indiana, and pickup is usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Get paid on the spot
The driver checks the car and pays you. Then you sign the title, hand over the keys and the car is loaded.
Cities we serve in Indiana
Local pickup details for these cities are below. We buy everywhere else in Indiana too, from the suburbs to the smallest towns.
Indiana car selling questions
Do I need a title to sell my car in Indiana?
For a titled vehicle, yes: the title is how ownership passes to the buyer. To replace a lost Indiana title, apply to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) with Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle, State Form 205. The fee is $15.
Can I junk a car without a title in Indiana?
Sometimes. If the title is lost, faulty or destroyed, the owner applies to the BMV for a Certificate of Authority (State Form 55018, $4). A licensed salvage recycler may accept it in place of a title. Otherwise you'll need the title or a duplicate. To replace a lost Indiana title, apply to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) with Application for Certificate of Title for a Vehicle, State Form 205. The fee is $15.
Do I keep my license plates when I sell a car in Indiana?
In Indiana, the plates belong to the seller, not the car. Seller removes plates and does not have to return them to the BMV. They can go on another vehicle the seller owns.
Is pickup really free everywhere in Indiana?
Yes. Towing is free anywhere in Indiana a tow truck can reach, and nothing is deducted from your offer for it.
Sources
- Indiana BMV: Buying & Selling a Vehicle
- IN.gov FAQ: I'm selling a vehicle. What do I need to fill out the title?
- IN.gov FAQ: What should I do with a license plate I am no longer using?
- Indiana BMV: Duplicate Title Application
- Indiana BMV, Certificate of Authority (Request to Junk a Vehicle without a Certificate of Title) checklist
- Indiana BMV State Form 55018, Application for Certificate of Authority, Disposal of a Vehicle
Checked against these sources on November 6, 2026.
Last updated November 6, 2026.