A practical guide to buying and selling vehicles directly from private owners.
DirectOwner connects private buyers and sellers of cars, trucks, RVs and other vehicles. The goal is to make the process more direct and transparent while helping people make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary dealership layers.
Start with the listing details, photos, asking price, mileage, location and description. Write down the questions that matter to you before contacting the owner.
Ask for the VIN, title status, mileage history, maintenance records, known mechanical or cosmetic issues, accident history, number of keys, lien information, and the reason for selling. Ask whether the seller is the titled owner and whether the name on the title matches the seller's identity.
Independently verify the VIN, title and lien status using appropriate official or reputable sources. Consider a vehicle-history report and an independent inspection by a qualified mechanic. Do not rely only on photos or a seller's description.
Meet in a public, well-lit location during daylight when possible. A police station or designated safe exchange zone can be a useful meeting location where available. Bring a friend or tell someone you trust where you are going. Agree in advance on who will attend and how any test drive will work. Leave or reschedule if you feel unsafe.
Confirm the seller's identity and vehicle documents before a test drive. Follow local laws and insurance requirements. If you are serious about the vehicle, arrange an independent inspection before completing the purchase.
Be cautious with wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, unusual payment requests, fake escrow services and pressure to pay immediately. Confirm the seller, vehicle, title and payment instructions independently. Complete a bill of sale and other required paperwork, and follow your state's title, tax and registration requirements.
Use an accurate title, vehicle type, year, make, model, asking price, mileage and seller location. Upload clear photos from multiple angles and disclose known issues. Accurate information helps serious buyers evaluate the vehicle and reduces surprises.
Use well-lit photos of the exterior, interior, odometer, tires, engine bay when appropriate, VIN plate when safe to share, and any visible damage. Avoid misleading angles or heavily edited images. Keep the first photo as your strongest overall vehicle image.
DirectOwner listings can be edited while eligible, and sellers can pause, resume, or mark a listing sold. Keep your listing current so buyers know whether the vehicle is still available. Once sold, mark the listing sold promptly.
DirectOwner may offer Free, Featured and Premium listing options. Paid options open Stripe Checkout. Review the plan and price before paying, and keep your payment confirmation for your records.
DirectOwner provides practical safety guidance, but no online marketplace can guarantee a safe transaction. Buyers and sellers are responsible for independently verifying identity, vehicle condition, ownership, documents, payment and transaction terms.
For questions about the DirectOwner website or account experience, contact support@getdirectowner.com. Do not send passwords, payment card numbers, or private account credentials by email.