7 Ways to Protect Your Privacy When You Sell or Trade Your Car

Before you hand over your car, take these steps to protect your personal information.

Steven Lang | 

Nov 8, 2024 | 3 min read

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When selling a car, it's ideal to take your privacy into consideration by covering your tracks. Your vehicle's registration, insurance, personal phone contacts — even the title to your car— can easily end up with the wrong person if you're not careful.

Here are a few ways to protect your privacy before you sell or trade in your vehicle.

Remove Any Personal Items From the Vehicle

Your personal information may be hidden in several places, including your glovebox and owner's manual. It can also be under the seat, in your trunk, or inside your sun visor. Go through the entire car and remove everything with your name or personal details.

If you're including service records, take the time to cut or redact your personal information off each sheet.

Before you fork over your keys, remember to remove the license plates — unless you live in a state such as California where the plates stay with the vehicle. Plan ahead to have the correct screwdriver or socket for that job, especially if your transaction occurs somewhere other than your home.

Delete Navigation History, Phone Contacts, and All Online Services

Removing access to your private life and personal belongings is a priority in today's high-tech world.

Most vehicles allow you to reset your infotainment system to erase your navigation history and personal contacts. That's a healthy start. But while you're at it, also make sure you immediately cancel all mobile internet and satellite radio services. Also, reset any security systems paired with your home, such as the HomeLink garage door opener transmitter that may be integrated into your car's interior rearview mirror or sun visor.

Make Sure All the Transaction Documents Have Been Signed and Witnessed

When selling or trading your car, the new owner should sign off on the back of the title in your presence and register it immediately. To make it simple, search online for your state's specific bill of sale form so that there are no issues with processing the vehicle's title. It's a good idea to make a copy for yourself, too.

To enhance security during the transaction process, you may consider meeting at a police station with camera surveillance. Contact your local police department and see if they provide this public service.

Immediately Cancel the Insurance and Registration

Cancel your insurance right after you sell or trade in your vehicle, and remove the registration as soon as possible. Some states will allow you to remove your registration online. Others may ask that you mail in a specific form or bring it in person.

If you're replacing the car, you might be able to transfer the prorated portion of the registration.

Sell the Car As Is

You'll want to make it clear that you are selling the vehicle as is. You can find sample forms online for the new owner to sign in order to release yourself from any maintenance or repair responsibilities after the sale.

Taking these precautions to protect your privacy can help keep your personal information confidential after your car inherits a new owner.

Steven Lang

Steven Lang is a special contributor to Capital One with nearly two decades of experience as an auto auctioneer, car dealer, and part owner of an auto auction. Some of the best-known auto publications turn to him for his expert insight. He is also the co-developer of the Long-Term Quality Index, a survey of vehicle reliability featuring over two million vehicles that have been inspected by professional mechanics.