Buying a used car in Maryland? Before it can go on the road, it needs to pass a Maryland safety inspection, then be titled and registered with the MVA. A dealer usually handles the inspection, title and tags for you. In a private sale, the buyer is usually responsible for all three, so confirm who handles the inspection before you pay.
Quick answer
- Dealer sale: the dealer typically handles the inspection and usually the title and registration.
- Private sale: the buyer is responsible for the inspection, titling and registration unless you agree otherwise.
- The inspection certificate is good for 90 days from the date issued, so title and register before it expires.
- You’ll need the signed title, a bill of sale, the inspection certificate, ID, Maryland insurance and payment for taxes and fees.
Do you need a safety inspection when buying a used car in Maryland?
Yes, for most used vehicles. Maryland State Police put it simply: before you can sell, buy, or register a used vehicle in Maryland, it needs to pass a safety inspection. The certificate is one of the documents the MVA asks for when you title the car. The inspection happens once, when the vehicle is first titled in Maryland, not every year.
The certificate is valid for 90 days from the date it’s issued. If the seller hands you a certificate, look at the date. If it’s close to expiring, plan to get to the MVA quickly. You can learn how inspections work at our shop on our Maryland State Inspection page.
Buying from a dealer: what’s different?
When you buy from a Maryland dealer, the dealer typically handles the safety inspection and usually handles the title and registration paperwork too. That makes the process simpler, but it’s still worth asking a few questions before you sign.
- Has the car already passed inspection? Ask to see the certificate or the inspection paperwork.
- Is the dealer doing the title and tags? Get it in writing so you know what to expect.
- When will you get your plates and registration? Ask how long it usually takes.
You’ll still need Maryland insurance in place before the car is registered.
Buying from a private seller, step by step
In a private sale, the buyer is responsible for the inspection, titling and registration. The MVA’s advice is to always confirm who is responsible before completing the sale. Here’s how most private purchases go.
- Agree on who handles the inspection. Some sellers get the car inspected before listing it. Others sell it without one. Settle this before money changes hands.
- Look the car over before you pay. Test drive it, check for leaks and warning lights, and consider having a shop look at it (more on that below).
- Get the title signed correctly. The seller completes the Certificate of Title with the correct sale price and odometer reading.
- Get a bill of sale. It’s recommended and should include the buyer’s and seller’s names, the vehicle information, the sale price, the date and both signatures.
- Get Maryland insurance. You need it before you can register the car.
- Get the safety inspection if the car doesn’t already have a valid certificate.
- Title and register at the MVA. You can apply in person at an MVA branch or by mail, and you can usually title and register at the same time.
What documents do you need to title a used car in Maryland?
For a private-party purchase, the MVA lists these items:
- Application for Certificate of Title (form VR-005)
- The original title, properly assigned to you by the seller
- Proof of purchase price or a bill of sale, if applicable
- Odometer disclosure, if applicable
- The Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate
- Your ID
- A lien release, if the seller had a loan on the car
- Payment for taxes and fees
Maryland charges an excise tax when you title a vehicle. The MVA explains how it’s calculated, so check their site for the amount that applies to your purchase before you go.
Need the car inspected before you title it?
We’re a licensed Maryland inspection station in Rockville, and we send the certificate to the MVA electronically.
How do you drive a car to inspection before it’s registered?
A vehicle has to be properly registered in Maryland or another state to be inspected. If you just bought a car that isn’t registered in Maryland yet, there is a 30-day temporary registration so you can legally drive it to inspection with the proper documentation. Check with the MVA on what you need to bring for the temporary registration.
If the car can’t be driven safely, don’t risk it. We offer 24-hour emergency towing and can bring it to the shop.
Should you get the inspection before you pay?
This is advice, not law, but it’s the most useful tip we can give. If the seller agrees, get the inspection done before you hand over the money. That way you know exactly what the car needs to pass.
Here’s why it matters. In a private sale, once the car is yours, the repairs it needs to pass are usually yours to pay for, unless you and the seller agreed on something different. A car that looks clean can still need brakes, tires, suspension parts or exhaust work. Knowing that up front gives you room to negotiate the price or walk away.
If the seller won’t allow an inspection first, you can still have us look the car over. We’ll look it over, check the brakes, tires, suspension and leaks, and use our computer diagnostics to scan for stored trouble codes. A scan can show problems the dashboard isn’t showing yet. If the check engine light is on, our check engine light service can tell you what’s behind it.
A few other checks are worth doing on any used car:
- Make sure the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the car.
- Ask for service records.
- Check that the name on the title matches the seller’s ID.
- Ask if there’s a loan on the car and get the lien release if there is.
Used car inspection and title FAQ
Who is responsible for the safety inspection when buying a used car in Maryland?
In a private sale, the buyer is responsible for the inspection unless the seller agrees to handle it. Dealers typically handle the inspection themselves, so confirm who is responsible before you complete the sale.
How long is a Maryland inspection certificate good for?
It’s valid for 90 days from the date it’s issued. You need to title and register the car before it expires.
Can I register a used car in Maryland without an inspection?
Most used vehicles must pass the safety inspection before they can be titled and registered. Check with the MVA if you think your vehicle may be an exception.
What if the car fails inspection after I bought it?
You’ll get a list of what needs to be fixed. Make the repairs and return to the same station within 30 days and under 1,000 miles so only the failed items are rechecked.
How much is the titling tax in Maryland?
Maryland charges an excise tax when you title a vehicle, and the MVA explains how it’s calculated. Check the MVA website for the amount that applies to your purchase.
Sources: Maryland MVA, Buying a Vehicle, Maryland MVA, Private Party Purchase, Maryland MVA, Safety Inspections, Maryland State Police, Vehicle Inspections. Rules can change, so check with the MVA before your appointment.
Bring your car to New Level Auto Service
We’re at 716 E Gude Dr in Rockville, MD. Walk-ins are welcome, and calling ahead gets you in faster.
- Phone (301) 762-1200
- Hours Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM
- Extras Night drop and 24-hour emergency towing