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The safest way to pay a private seller

KeySavvy protects you from fraud while making it easy to pay a private seller.

Search KeySavvy for the vehicle you want to buy:

Create an account and tell your seller you want to pay online with KeySavvy:

Payment Protection

You're guaranteed to receive a clear title and be able to register the car.

Identity Protection

Know the seller is who they claim and avoid buying a stolen car that you can't register.

Loan Protection

Instantly determine if your seller has an undisclosed loan or lien that prevents registration.

Pay online. No trips to your bank.

Bank Account (ACH)

Wire Transfer

How does it work?

1

Find the perfect car

Shop on your favorite used car site. You can pay any seller on any marketplace and we work in all 50 states.

Tell your seller about KeySavvy

Tell your seller you'd like to pay online and ask them to add their vehicle to KeySavvy. We'll verify their ownership of the vehicle so you're guaranteed to get a clear title.

2

3

Pay online and pick up your car

There's no need to meet at a bank or carry large amounts of cash. Pay online with your bank account, credit card, or Zelle. If your seller has a loan, we'll give you a temporary permit while you wait for us to mail you the title.

Just mentioning KeySavvy reduces fraud. I told a seller I planned to pay with KeySavvy and they immediately told me the car had a rebuilt title.

Becky T.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does KeySavvy charge a fee?

Sellers pay a flat fee of $79. If the vehicle has a loan, KeySavvy charges an additional $99 to pay off the loan as part of the sale.

Buyers also pay a flat fee of $79.

Buyers and sellers can split fees equally, or have one party pay all fees.

Do I have to pay taxes and registration fees?

Yes, in order to register your car, you will need to pay taxes and registration fees to your state. In some cases, KeySavvy will collect taxes and fees when you pay for your vehicle. If KeySavvy does not collect taxes and fees, the DMV will collect them when you register the vehicle.

How is KeySavvy different from PayPal and other payment services?

Unlike payment apps like PayPal and Cash App, KeySavvy verifies the buyer's identity and the seller's ownership of the vehicle. We guarantee that the buyer will receive a clear title to a vehicle they can legally register. In contrast, PayPal explicitly excludes vehicles from purchase protection.

Other peer-to-peer payment services are primarily intended for smaller transactions between friends and family. They have limits that are much lower than a typical vehicle sale price. KeySavvy has no transaction limit and guides buyers and sellers through the process, including help with all the necessary paperwork.

What payment types can I use to pay my seller?

You can pay for your vehicle with your bank account (ACH), wire transfer, credit card, or Zelle. An additional fee applies for credit card payments. You can also finance your purchase through your local bank or credit union.

Can I pay with KeySavvy if the seller has a loan or lien?

Yes, KeySavvy enables you to purchase a vehicle when the seller still has a loan or lien.

In a typical private party sale, the seller can't transfer ownership to you without first paying off their loan. Paying a seller with cash or a cashier's check and not receiving the title right away is risky for buyers. Because KeySavvy is a licensed dealer, we can handle the loan payoff and sale as part of the purchase process, and issue a temporary permit that allows you to legally drive the car right away.

How to sell a financed car with KeySavvy

Are electric vehicles eligible for the 2023 Used EV Tax Credit?

Yes! Unlike traditional private party sales, when you buy an eligible used electric or plug-in vehicle using KeySavvy, you may qualify for a tax credit of 30% of the purchase price, up to $4,000.

The vehicle must be in the IRS list of eligible vehicles
You must be a qualified buyer
The purchase price must be $25,000 or less.
The vehicle must not have been sold to another qualified buyer after August 16, 2022. KeySavvy will help confirm the vehicle's eligibility.

Because the tax credit is partially based on your income, we cannot determine your personal eligibility. Review the IRS Used Clean Vehicle Credit website or consult a tax professional to confirm your eligibility.

Can I finance with my own bank or credit union?

Yes, KeySavvy works with most local banks or credit unions. Because KeySavvy is a licensed dealer, we're able to work with lenders that don't normally finance private party sales.

Before you shop for your car, we recommend you get pre-approval from your bank or credit union so you know how much you can borrow. Let your bank know that you're buying from an independent car dealer, since some banks don't offer loans on regular private party sales. Note that if your seller has a loan, most lenders won't allow you to finance your purchase.

When you and the seller agree on a price, KeySavvy generates a Purchase Order that you take to your bank. Your bank issues a check or sends a wire transfer to KeySavvy for the loan amount. After KeySavvy verifies the payment, you pick up your car, and we pay the seller and take care of the paperwork.

Can I pay with a credit card?

Yes, you can pay with a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. However, we pass on a processing fee of 3.19%.

Do you create a bill of sale?

Yes, KeySavvy generates a bill of sale automatically. Buyers and sellers will e-sign this document and can keep it for their records.

Can I pay with KeySavvy if the seller is in another state?

Yes, you can pay a seller even if they're located out-of-state. If you're picking up the vehicle in-person, we'll pay the seller when you pick up the car. If the vehicle is being shipped, we'll pay the seller when the shipper picks it up, as long as we've already received the title.

When a vehicle is shipped, KeySavvy requires the seller to mail us the title to be held in escrow, along with your payment. This helps us protect buyers from mistakes on the title that could prevent or delay registration with your state DMV. If the seller has a loan, we'll mail additional paperwork to the seller that enables us to transfer the title to you. Sellers are not paid until we receive all required documentation.

KeySavvy does not make any guarantees regarding the condition of the vehicle and third-party inspections are highly recommended. Read our blog article about pre-purchase inspections to learn more.

Can I get a refund if I don't pick up the car after paying?

Yes, your payment is refundable (including our fee) until you pick up the vehicle from the seller or until it's picked up by a vehicle shipper.

Can I buy or sell a motorcycle, truck, or RV using KeySavvy?

Yes, KeySavvy supports cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, RVs, snowmobiles, and ATVs! As long as the vehicle is titled in the United States, we can verify the seller's identity, check for loans and liens, and allow buyers to pay online. When buyers pay with KeySavvy, we guarantee buyers will receive a clear title and sellers will get paid.

What personal information do you share with the seller?

We only share your first name with the seller when you create a deal. Most states require private party buyers to disclose their name and address to the seller when buying a car so the seller can properly report the sale to the state. The bill of sale we generate for you and your seller will include the full name and address of the buyer and seller.

Does KeySavvy provide a vehicle warranty?

No, KeySavvy does not guarantee the condition of the vehicle, only secure transfer of funds from the buyer to the seller and vehicle ownership and title verification. We strongly encourage buyers to get vehicles inspected by an experienced mechanic before purchasing. Learn more about getting a pre-purchase inspection.

KeySavvy is a licensed auto dealer, regulated by Minnesota Driver & Vehicle Services. License #DLR100357.