To ship a car bought on Facebook Marketplace, first verify the seller, title and car, then pay in a secure way, and book your own licensed transport company to pick the car up from the seller's address. Give the carrier the seller's contact details and make sure the seller is ready to release the car and keys. Never use a shipping company the seller picks for you, since fake shippers are one of the most common Marketplace car scams.
Key takeaways
- Book your own shipping. A seller who insists on "their" shipper is a major scam warning sign.
- Verify the VIN, title and the seller's ID before you send money.
- Facebook's purchase protections generally don't cover vehicles, so your own checks are your protection.
- Open car shipping typically costs about $500–$1,900 depending on distance.
- Coordinate pickup times, keys and the title handoff with the seller before the truck arrives.
Why Marketplace car purchases need extra care
Facebook Marketplace is a huge source of used cars, and plenty of buyers find great deals there. But it's mostly a listing board. Facebook doesn't verify that the seller owns the car, doesn't hold your money, and its purchase protection programs generally exclude vehicles. That means you're the one doing the checking.
When the car is in another city or state, the risk goes up because you can't simply meet in a parking lot. The good news: with a clear process, shipping a Marketplace car is no harder than shipping any other private sale.
Step 1: Vet the listing and the seller
Look at the profile
Check how long the seller's Facebook account has existed, whether it has real friends and activity, and whether they have other listings. A brand-new profile selling a nice car well below market is a red flag.
Ask for the VIN and run it
Ask for the 17-character VIN and a photo of it on the dashboard and door jamb. Run a vehicle history report, check recalls on the NHTSA site, and use the National Insurance Crime Bureau's free VINCheck tool to look for theft or total-loss records.
Match the title to the seller
Ask for a photo of the title (front side) and the seller's ID. The names should match. If the title is in someone else's name or the seller "hasn't transferred it yet," it can be a sign of title jumping or curbstoning, which many states prohibit, and it can leave you unable to register the car.
Watch for these Marketplace scam patterns
- The price is far below similar cars.
- The seller is "in the military," "overseas," or "moving," and the car is "already at a shipping depot."
- They want to move the conversation off Facebook right away to email or text.
- They ask for gift cards, crypto, or a payment app transfer.
- They send you a link to an escrow or shipping company you've never heard of.
- They refuse a live video call or an inspection.
Step 2: Inspect the car before you pay
If you can't see the car yourself, hire an independent mobile inspector or a well-reviewed shop near the seller. A pre-purchase inspection usually costs around $100–$300 and covers the engine, transmission, brakes, tires, frame, rust, leaks and a road test. You pick the inspector, not the seller.
Add a live video call where you direct what the seller shows: a cold start, the dashboard with the engine running, the odometer, and a slow walk around the car. That also proves the seller has the car in hand. Our guide to shipping a car you bought online has more tips for remote purchases.
Step 3: Agree on price, payment and paperwork
Safe ways to pay
The safest options tie your money to the title transfer:
- Meet at a bank. If you or someone you trust can be there, pay at the seller's bank. If there's a loan, the bank can confirm the payoff.
- Use a legitimate escrow service. Find and verify it yourself. Never use one the seller suggests or links to.
- Pay the lender directly if there's a lien, then pay the seller any remaining equity.
Avoid gift cards, cryptocurrency and "friends and family" payment app transfers. They're very hard to reverse.
Paperwork checklist
| Item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Title | Signed over to you in the right spots, per the seller's state rules. Some states require a notary. |
| Bill of sale | VIN, year, make, model, price, date, both names and signatures. |
| Odometer disclosure | Mileage written on the title or a separate form as required. |
| Lien release | Needed if the car had a loan. |
| Seller's ID | Photo or copy that matches the title. |
| Keys and fobs | Count them; all should go with the car. |
Rules on notarization, plates and odometer forms vary by state. Check the seller's state DMV website for how to sign the title, and your own DMV for registration steps.
Step 4: Book your own car shipping
Once the deal is agreed, book transport yourself. This step protects you from the fake-shipper scam and gives you control over pickup and delivery.
What you'll need to get a quote
- Year, make and model of the car.
- Whether it runs. Non-running cars need a winch, which usually adds a fee.
- Pickup address (the seller's location) and your delivery address.
- Your preferred pickup date.
- Open or enclosed transport.
How much does it cost?
Prices depend on distance, route, vehicle size, trailer type and season. Typical ranges:
| Distance | Typical open-carrier cost | Typical transit time |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | About $500–$900 | 1–3 days |
| 500–1,500 miles | About $800–$1,300 | 3–6 days |
| 1,500+ miles / coast to coast | About $1,100–$1,900 | 6–10 days |
These are ranges and vary. Enclosed transport typically costs about $800–$2,900. For a quick estimate on your route, try our car shipping cost calculator.
Check the company
Any legitimate auto transport broker or carrier has a USDOT number and an MC number you can look up on the FMCSA website. CTS shipments are arranged by Niki Auto Transport (USDOT 4535689, MC 1799148). There's no deposit to book, and our Best Price Guarantee matches or beats a lower written quote.
Step 5: Coordinate pickup with the seller
Marketplace sellers are regular people with jobs and schedules, so clear communication makes pickup easy.
- Tell the seller the plan. Let them know a car carrier will call them before arriving.
- Share their info with the transport company. Name, phone, address and the hours they're available.
- Confirm the pickup spot works for a big truck. A full car carrier may not fit on narrow or dead-end streets. Meeting at a nearby store parking lot is common.
- Make sure payment is complete. The seller should only release the car after they're paid.
- Arrange the title handoff. Have the seller mail the signed title to you by tracked mail, or give it to someone you trust. Don't leave the title inside the car.
- Ask the seller to do the walkaround. The driver will inspect the car and note its condition on the Bill of Lading. Ask the seller to take photos too and send them to you.
- Remove plates and toll tags if required. In many states the plates stay with the seller.
Same-day pickup is available in most metro areas, which is handy if the seller needs the car gone fast. You can follow the trip with 24/7 in-transit updates.
Step 6: Delivery, title and registration
At delivery
Inspect the car before signing the Bill of Lading. Compare it to the inspection report and the pickup notes. Write down any new damage on the delivery paperwork before you sign.
Register it
You'll typically title and register the car in your home state and pay sales or use tax there. Many states set a deadline, often around 30 days, and some require emissions testing, a safety inspection or VIN verification for cars from out of state. Check your DMV for exact rules. Add the car to your insurance before delivery.
For more answers about the shipping side, see our car shipping FAQs.
Open or enclosed for a Marketplace car?
Most Marketplace purchases are everyday cars, trucks and SUVs, and an open carrier is the practical choice. It's the most affordable option and has the most trucks on the road, which usually means quicker pickups.
Enclosed transport is worth a look if you bought a classic, a collector car, a freshly restored project or a high-end sports car. It keeps out rain, road salt, dust and rock chips. It costs more and has fewer trucks available, so allow a little extra time for pickup.
Special cases
- Lifted trucks and oversized tires. Tall vehicles may not fit on the top deck of an open carrier and can cost more. Give the exact height if it's been modified.
- Lowered cars. Low ground clearance can scrape on ramps. Enclosed trailers with liftgates may be a better fit.
- Project cars. If it doesn't run, tell the company so a truck with a winch is sent.
What if the deal falls apart after you book shipping?
It happens. A seller sells to someone local, the inspection turns up a problem, or the title isn't ready. Because CTS doesn't require a deposit to book, you aren't out money just for reserving transport. Let us know as soon as plans change so the pickup can be canceled or moved. This is one more reason to finish your inspection and payment before you lock in a pickup date.
Tips for a smoother Marketplace shipment
- Keep conversations on Facebook Messenger at first. It creates a record and makes impersonation harder.
- Screenshot the listing. Sellers sometimes delete listings after a sale, and you'll want the original description.
- Ask about modifications. Lowered cars, lift kits and oversized tires can affect which trailer works.
- Get the car's real condition. If it has a dead battery or won't start, tell the shipping company.
- Clear out the seller's stuff. Ask them to remove personal items, garage openers and loose items before pickup.
- Be flexible on dates. A pickup window of a few days often means a better price.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship a car I bought on Facebook Marketplace without seeing it?
Yes. Many buyers do. Just replace your in-person look with a history report, an independent inspection and a live video call before paying.
Does the seller need to be home for pickup?
Someone needs to release the car, hand over the keys and sign the Bill of Lading. It can be the seller or another person they trust.
The seller says the car is already with a shipping company. Is that okay?
Treat it as a major warning sign. This is a well-known scam where both the car and the shipper are fake. Book your own transport and only pay after verifying the car exists and the seller owns it.
Can I ship a Marketplace car that doesn't run?
Yes, if it can roll, brake and steer. A carrier with a winch can load it, usually for an added fee. Let the shipping company know when you request a quote.
Who pays for shipping, me or the seller?
Usually the buyer pays for transport. You can negotiate shipping into the price, but book it yourself either way.
Found your next car on Marketplace? Get a free quote and we'll arrange pickup at the seller's address, with $0 deposit and updates the whole way.
Updated November 4, 2026