How to Sell an Elderly Parent's Car
Mom or Dad stopped driving and the car is sitting in the garage. We make selling it simple and safe for the whole family.
Mom Stopped Driving. Now What Do We Do With Her Car?
Deciding to stop driving is a big step, and the car that is left behind becomes one more thing for the family to manage. It still needs insurance and registration, and selling it privately means listings, phone calls and strangers coming to the house.
HoHo Buys Cars comes to your parent’s home or community, looks the car over with you there, makes a clear written offer and handles the paperwork. Your parent never has to visit a dealership.
Who Can Sign the Title?
It depends on whether your parent can make their own decisions.
If your parent owns the car and can make their own decisions, they sign the title as the seller. You can handle everything else and be there for the appointment.
If you are signing for your parent, you need legal authority, usually a durable power of attorney that covers their property. A durable power of attorney only works if your parent signed it while they could still make their own decisions.
If your parent can no longer decide and there is no power of attorney, a court may need to appoint a guardian. A guardian should check whether the sale needs the court’s approval before signing.
Documents You'll Need
Have these ready before the appraisal.
- The title, signed by your parent or their authorized representative
- Power of attorney or guardianship papers, if you are signing for your parent
- A photo ID for the person signing
- Loan or lien details, if the car is financed
- All keys
If the title is lost, the county tax collector’s office can issue a duplicate before the sale.
Keep Your Parent Safe From Scams
Private sales can invite problems.
Online listings attract people who want to see the car at the owner’s home, and some of them are not real buyers. Selling to a local, professional buyer means one appointment, one company you can look up and payment you can trust. Common private sale problems include:
- Strangers asking to come to the house
- Fake checks and payment app scams
- Pressure to sign over the title before the money clears
Talking With Your Parent About the Car
Make it their decision too.
Giving up the car can feel like giving up independence. Include your parent in the conversation, let them be there for the appraisal if they want to, and talk through how they will get around, whether that is family, a ride service or transportation from their community.
How It Works
Selling the car takes three simple steps.
- Submit Your Vehicle Information
- Schedule Your Free Appraisal
- Receive Instant Cash Payment
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions families ask us most.
Can you meet at my parent's home?
Yes. We come to your parent's home or senior community, and you are welcome to be there.
I live out of town. Can you still help?
Yes. We can coordinate with you and meet a local family member or neighbor at the car.
My parent has dementia. Can we still sell the car?
Yes, if someone has the legal authority to sign: a durable power of attorney your parent signed earlier, or a court-appointed guardian. If you are unsure, an elder law attorney can tell you what applies.
Can you buy the car if there is still a loan on it?
Yes. Tell us who holds the loan when you call. We can pay off the lender as part of the purchase and handle that paperwork, and if our offer is higher than the payoff, the difference goes to the seller.
What happens to the license plate after the sale?
In Florida the plate belongs to the owner, not the car. Remove it after the sale and either transfer it to another vehicle or turn it in at the county tax collector's office. Do that before you cancel the insurance, because canceling coverage on an active plate can lead to a suspension.
Does the appraisal cost anything?
No. The appraisal is free, it takes about 10 minutes, and there is no pressure to sell.
This page is general information about selling a vehicle in Florida, not legal advice. For questions about probate, guardianship or who has authority to sign, talk with the estate's attorney or your county tax collector's office.
More Guides for Your Situation
Sell a Deceased Person's Car
Who can sign, which documents to gather and how the title transfer works in Florida.
Read the guide →Sell an Inherited Car
You inherited a car you don't need. Here is how to sell it without the hassle.
Read the guide →Sell an Estate Vehicle
A step by step guide for personal representatives and families settling an estate.
Read the guide →Sell a Car After Moving to Assisted Living
What to do with a car that is no longer needed after a move into senior living.
Read the guide →
