Carefully, and in the right order. A private sale has fewer built in safeguards than a dealership, so the buyer does more of the checking. Profound Tag & Title Services in Hyattsville publishes a Used Car Buying Guide that covers the buying side, and its registration pages cover the paperwork afterward.

Here’s the full story in a practical sequence. We’ll walk from the first phone call to the moment you hold your tags, pointing out the details that protect your money and your time along the way.

Where Does a Private Purchase Begin?
Profound’s guide says to get a vehicle history report before contacting a seller. You can pull one with the VIN or even the license plate, and AutoCheck and Carfax are the best known sources. If the report comes back negative, the guide says you shouldn’t go any further with that car.

The report can reveal a salvage title, meaning an insurer declared the car a total loss, or a rolled back odometer. Profound’s Other Services page lists CarFax reports as something it can retrieve. Starting with the report keeps you from investing time in a car whose paperwork will never be clean.

What Should Happen Before You Pay?
The guide advises calling the seller first, verifying the ad, then arranging a test drive, ideally in daylight. During the drive, simulate your normal conditions and ask to see service records. A pre purchase inspection can save you thousands, and private sellers will probably allow one without much resistance.

Negotiation matters too. The guide suggests making an opening offer that’s low but in the ballpark, deciding your limit ahead of time, and being ready to walk away. Calm buyers pay fair prices. Rushed buyers often discover problems after the money has already moved.

How Do You Handle Payment and the Title?
Profound’s guide says to pay with cash or a cashier’s check, but before money changes hands, request the title, which is sometimes called the pink slip, and have the seller sign it over to you. That sequence is the heart of a clean car title transfer in a private sale.

Also confirm that payment is final and that the seller properly transfers title and registration to you. The guide warns that closing the deal properly helps you avoid after sale hassles. And make sure you have insurance on the car before you drive it away, since that’s easy to forget in the excitement.

What Paperwork Does Maryland Require After the Sale?
Profound’s registration page says a private purchase of a vehicle less than 7 years old requires a notarized bill of sale. You’ll also need the previous owner’s title, lien and lienholder information if you have a loan, a Maryland safety inspection certificate, insurance information, and payment for fees and taxes.

Lay those items out the night before your visit. If something is missing, the online page lets you upload documents and receive a no obligation quote within 2 hours during business hours, so you can catch gaps early. The office also offers notary services, which can simplify the bill of sale piece.

What Do You Get at the Counter?
If your vehicle has passed inspection, Profound’s Tag & Title Transfers page says it can provide immediate full registration with permanent Maryland tags valid for one, two, or three years. Fees are based on vehicle weight, so the final number depends on what you bought.

If the car hasn’t been inspected, you can receive 30 day temporary Maryland tags and move to full registration after inspection. Imagine buying a truck on a Friday evening. With temporary tags, you can drive it home legally, then handle the inspection on Monday without any panic.

How Does the Rest of the Process Look?
Most private buyers finish with two small tasks: setting a renewal reminder and storing documents safely. Profound says renewal opens 60 days before expiration, which gives you a comfortable window in the future.

When you’re ready to transfer a car title in Maryland or handle any follow up task, the office is at 5629 Landover Road in Hyattsville, open 10:00am to 6:00pm. Most services finish in 10 minutes or less, so even a quick lunch break can work if your paperwork is ready.

Conclusion
A private sale rewards patience. Check the history, inspect the car, pay safely, get the title signed over, and bring a complete document set to a licensed office. Follow that order, and the transfer feels like a smooth handoff instead of a gamble.

FAQs
What payment method does Profound’s guide suggest?
Cash or a cashier’s check, after the seller signs the title over to you.

Is a notarized bill of sale required?
For a private purchase of a vehicle less than 7 years old, yes.

What if the car isn’t inspected?
You can get 30 day temporary tags and move to full registration after inspection.

How long does a visit take?
Profound says most services are completed in 10 minutes or less.