Selling or junking a car in New Mexico, step by step
- Find your title (or replace it). If the title is lost or damaged, request a duplicate from the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) using MVD-10901 Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title.
- Pay off any loan. If a lender is listed on the title, it must release the lien before the car can change hands. See our guide to junking a car with a lien.
- Sign the title over at pickup. The seller signs the seller's section of the title and fills in the buyer's name, the sale date, the price and the odometer reading. Buyer and seller both sign the odometer statement, and the seller should take the plate off the vehicle at the time of sale. A Bill of Sale (MVD-10009) can be used when the title's assignment spaces are incomplete or used up.
- Deal with your plates. New Mexico calls itself a plate-to-owner state: the seller removes the plate and, within 30 days, either has MVD destroy it or assigns it to another vehicle.
- File the Notice of Vehicle Sold. The seller uses this form to tell MVD that the vehicle has been sold or transferred and is no longer in their possession. It asks for the VIN, plate number, sale date, mileage and buyer details, and the form gives a mailing address for MVD's Sold Unit in Santa Fe.
How to sign over a title in New Mexico
The seller signs the seller's section of the title and fills in the buyer's name, the sale date, the price and the odometer reading. Buyer and seller both sign the odometer statement, and the seller should take the plate off the vehicle at the time of sale. A Bill of Sale (MVD-10009) can be used when the title's assignment spaces are incomplete or used up.
Official page: mvd.newmexico.gov. For general tips on avoiding mistakes, see how to sign over a car title.
Lost title? Getting a duplicate in New Mexico
The registered owner, a successor in interest or a legal representative can apply with proper ID using form MVD-10901. If a lien is less than a year old, a lien release is also required.
- Form: MVD-10901 Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title
- Official page: mvd.newmexico.gov
More background: how to get a duplicate title before junking.
Notice of Vehicle Sold
The seller uses this form to tell MVD that the vehicle has been sold or transferred and is no longer in their possession. It asks for the VIN, plate number, sale date, mileage and buyer details, and the form gives a mailing address for MVD's Sold Unit in Santa Fe.
- Form: MVD-10048
- Official page: mvd.newmexico.gov
Why it matters: release of liability when selling a car.
License plates after you sell
Plates stay with you, the seller, not the car. New Mexico calls itself a plate-to-owner state: the seller removes the plate and, within 30 days, either has MVD destroy it or assigns it to another vehicle.
Source: mvd.newmexico.gov
Junk and salvage titles in New Mexico
Once MVD issues a nonrepairable vehicle certificate, it will not issue any further ownership documents for that vehicle. The owner may sell or transfer it only to a licensed wrecker or recycler.
Official page: mvd.newmexico.gov. Background: salvage vs. rebuilt vs. junk titles.
Selling a car without a title in New Mexico
If an owner cannot produce standard ownership documents, MVD lets them title the vehicle with a surety bond worth twice the vehicle's value, held for three years. The application (MVD-10070) also needs a VIN inspection and proof of NM residency.
Official page: mvd.newmexico.gov
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New Mexico title questions
How do I replace a lost car title in New Mexico?
The registered owner, a successor in interest or a legal representative can apply with proper ID using form MVD-10901. If a lien is less than a year old, a lien release is also required. The form is MVD-10901 Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title.
Do I need to notify New Mexico when I sell or junk my car?
New Mexico uses the Notice of Vehicle Sold. The seller uses this form to tell MVD that the vehicle has been sold or transferred and is no longer in their possession. It asks for the VIN, plate number, sale date, mileage and buyer details, and the form gives a mailing address for MVD's Sold Unit in Santa Fe.
What happens to my license plates when I sell a car in New Mexico?
New Mexico calls itself a plate-to-owner state: the seller removes the plate and, within 30 days, either has MVD destroy it or assigns it to another vehicle.
Can I junk a car without a title in New Mexico?
If an owner cannot produce standard ownership documents, MVD lets them title the vehicle with a surety bond worth twice the vehicle's value, held for three years. The application (MVD-10070) also needs a VIN inspection and proof of NM residency. Confirm the details with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD).
Official sources
- New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) — homemvd.newmexico.gov
- Selling or transferring a vehicle titlemvd.newmexico.gov
- Duplicate or replacement title (MVD-10901 Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title)mvd.newmexico.gov
- Notice of Vehicle Soldmvd.newmexico.gov
- License plates after a salemvd.newmexico.gov
- Junk and salvage vehiclesmvd.newmexico.gov
- Selling without a titlemvd.newmexico.gov
Summarized from official New Mexico government websites in October 2026. Fees and procedures change; always confirm with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) before you sell. This guide is general information, not legal advice.