Buying From a Private Seller in Kentucky: A Checklist
Private sales are usually "as is." The Kentucky Attorney General says that without a written contract, a private seller has no further responsibility for the car. So do your checking before you pay.
Before you pay
- Have a mechanic you pick inspect the car (the AG's first tip)
- Make sure the name on the title matches the seller's ID
- Look at the title for white-out or scratched-out info. The state says not to alter a title.
- Ask to see any unexpired warranty or service contract
- Know your rights. The AG says there's no right to cancel a sale, even right away, and no used car lemon law in Kentucky.
- Get any promises in writing
At the sale
- The seller signs the title in front of a notary
- Have the sale price written in and notarized so the tax is based on it (why)
- The seller keeps their plate
Within 15 days
Take the title, your insurance proof, and your ID to your county clerk (full list).
If something seems off
The state takes reports of title fraud by dealers or private sellers at KYTCMVLInvestigations@ky.gov.
Selling instead of buying? Ask for an estimate on your car. A real person looks at it and gets back to you.
Common questions
Can I return a used car in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Attorney General says there's no statutory right to cancel a sale, even right away.
Does Kentucky have a lemon law for used cars?
No. The AG says there is no used car lemon law.
Is a private sale as-is?
Usually. The AG says that without a written contract, a private seller has no further responsibility for the car.
Related guides
- Buying a Car on Facebook Marketplace in Kentucky: Staying Safe
- How to Transfer a Car Title in Kentucky
- Selling your car in Elizabethtown? Get an estimate