buying a used car - a US question...

I know this board is primarily for UK stuff, but enough of you have lived in the US recently that I hope you can help...

We are looking to buy a used car at the end of the month. Being in Maryland, many of the cars in the used car listings are in DC and VA. What I'm trying to find out is, should I avoid buying a car out of state? When my cousin moved to MD from WI, she paid a big tax bill to bring her car with her. But I've done some looking online and it doesn't appear that buying a car out of state is the same thing. It just appears that it could be a headache with getting the tags and stuff sorted out.

Anyone with some experience on this? TIA!

we just moved to france, from NJ.  we wanted to keep one of our cars in NC at my parents, and had to pay $800 'sales' tax' to NC to register it there.  each state is different.  just check your state's  dmv site, as it may make a big $$ difference. 

Something to consider is that VA/DC cars won't usually be MD inspected, which is a lot more strict. You may find that if you buy a VA/DC car, you need to spend a ton to get it up to MD standards.

Something to consider is that VA/DC cars won't usually be MD inspected, which is a lot more strict. You may find that if you buy a VA/DC car, you need to spend a ton to get it up to MD standards.

I was just going to say that.  Also, you need to check on emissions testing as well.

we just moved to france, from NJ.  we wanted to keep one of our cars in NC at my parents, and had to pay $800 'sales' tax' to NC to register it there.  each state is different.  just check your state's  dmv site, as it may make a big $$ difference. 

Yes, I looked at the DMV site. I found it a bit confusing (it was quite late and I was tired though) and it seems that buying a car out of state won't bring about a big tax bill.

Thanks for the info about inspections, though. Good to know.

Something to consider is that VA/DC cars won't usually be MD inspected, which is a lot more strict. You may find that if you buy a VA/DC car, you need to spend a ton to get it up to MD standards.

I second this...we spent SO much getting our car fixed when we moved from NY to MD. Just one of many reasons why the MVA is permanently on my hate-loathe-and-despise list.

I know this board is primarily for UK stuff, but enough of you have lived in the US recently that I hope you can help...

We are looking to buy a used car at the end of the month. Being in Maryland, many of the cars in the used car listings are in DC and VA. What I'm trying to find out is, should I avoid buying a car out of state? When my cousin moved to MD from WI, she paid a big tax bill to bring her car with her. But I've done some looking online and it doesn't appear that buying a car out of state is the same thing. It just appears that it could be a headache with getting the tags and stuff sorted out.

Anyone with some experience on this? TIA!

I can't image motor vehicle laws have changed too much since my absence from MD, the tax capital of the US.  If you find a private sale in MD the vehicle will have to pass inspections of both emissions as well as overall or general vehicle inspection.  Proof of inspection must be presented to MVA officials.  In addition, you may be responsible for tax on the vehicle based on it's value, this depends on the age of the vehicle.  When I left MD state sales tax was 5%, don't know what it is anymore.  To avoid the out of state private sale used vehicle issue, try hard t find a good deal in MD - I think it will make your life easier.

I think MD's tax just went up to 6% last January (to match the neighbors... how nice). 

I bought my beloved Bug in PA two summers ago and lived in MD at the time.  In MD taxes on the car are due at the time you register the vehicle, regardless whether you just bought the car or are moving to the state.

When buying a car to bring to MD from out of state, here are some tips and hints I would suggest:

1) If it is a private sale in another state (DC, VA, PA, etc) and you're bringing the car to MD, make sure that the seller signs the official MD DMV bill of sale form with the price you paid (wink wink nod nod)  and has his/her signature on that form notarized.  If you don't have this form, the MD DMV will assign a value to the car (KBB, I think, but the value they assign is usually higher than you actually would ever pay) on which taxes are due.  I paid 18,5 for my Bug, and if I hadn't had the seller's notarized signature on the Bill of Sale form, I would have had to pay taxes on 24k (the value they assigned to the car) vs the 18,5 I actually paid.  This is huge.  Don't try to claim that you bought a 45k car for $100, though.  You can call the DMV and ask them ahead of time what they believe the value of your car to be.

2) If it is through a used car lot (particularly in DC/VA) then they have TONS of experience with cross-line tax issues and you shouldn't worry too much.  If they send the paperwork to the DMV for you you'll pay MD taxes then and there; if not make sure they don't charge you any other states' taxes when you pay, and again, you'll pay taxes when you register.

Edited to add:  The inspection and emissions issues are true concerns, particularly when talking about older cars!  Safety inspections are done only once before you register the car, but emissions tests are every two years, IIRC.  MDs emissions standards are very strict and inevitably emissions are the one area where the repair costs can really add up!  I would consider a car with a recent DC/VA inspection certification (within 3 months) to be a fairly low risk, though

Edited to add again: Actually, my advice in 1) goes regardless of where you buy the car - in or out of state if it's a private sale, get that Bill of Sale form from the DMV with a notarized signature.  Other than potential hidden inspection issues, I don't see any reason not to buy a car in DC or VA if you live in MD.

Thanks for all the tips! My head is still swimming but hopefully we'll figure it out!

First things first: find a car you like, is priced right, and worry about the paperwork and transferring stuff later. 

In my experience, the Maryland DMV's customer service people (the phone folks, I mean) are extremely helpful (don't laugh!  I'm serious!).  When you're ready to buy, regardless of where the car is, give them a call.  They helped me immensely when I bought my beloved Bug, and that was a pretty complicated transaction.