The last time I sold a car it was a non-running minivan for which I got $1500. The guy paid in cash and all I had to do to finalize things was sign the title, have my husband sign the title, and give it to the buyer. I then went to the DMV and filed a piece of paper with the state that said I sold the car, and I called my insurance agent to tell him to take it off my policy. However I am in Texas. eHow says that in California in addition to doing any repairs and cleaning and obtaining a current passing smog test, you need to download a bill of sale from the DMV website, and fill out the “transfer/release of liability” form that is attached to the pink slip. When you find a buyer, the buyer also needs to fill out the “transfer/release of liability” form. Then you sign it and mail it to the DMV and tell your insurance agent that the car had been sold. You give the original bill of sale to the buyer. eHow suggests that you transfer ownership in a public place, and that you accept only cash or a cashier’s check. If you are worried about counterfeit bills, then do the sale at your bank and have money deposited into your bank account. The bank should catch any counterfeits. A bank is also a good public place to fill out the paperwork and actually turn over the car. I tend to give everyone the past paperwork, but you can offer it and just throw it out if the guy isn’t interested. Sometimes just the offer of the paperwork is enough to reassure the buyer that the car has been well-maintained.