The safest way to buy a car with a lien
Pay online and we'll pay off your seller's loan when you pick up the car.
Guaranteed clear title
We do the paperwork
No trip to the bank
Pay online and we'll pay off your seller's loan when you pick up the car.
Guaranteed clear title
We do the paperwork
No trip to the bank
Search KeySavvy for the vehicle you want to buy:
Create an account and tell your seller you want to pay online with KeySavvy:
How does it work?
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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 and their loan payoff amount so you're guaranteed to get a clear title.
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Pay online and pick up your car
There's no need to meet at a bank. Pay online and we'll pay off your seller's loan when you pick up the car. We'll even give you a temporary permit so you can drive right away.
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 buyers receive a clear title and sellers get paid. 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 and title transfer. As a licensed dealer, we have access to data that enables more thorough verification and helpful services like temporary operating permits.
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?
- 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 e-sign this document and can download it from their dashboard at any time in the future.
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.
Buy and sell cars worry-free
KeySavvy makes it safer and easier to buy and sell cars on any marketplace.
Copyright © KeySavvy, Inc., a public benefit corporation.
KeySavvy is a licensed auto dealer, regulated by Minnesota Driver & Vehicle Services. License #DLR100357.