Question

Can you sell a car if you have never registered it in your name?

You can sell a car that is not registered in your name if the title is transferred to your name.

The sale of a car won’t be possible if the title is not in your name. It is the title that proves the ownership of the vehicle, while registration legally allows you to drive the car on public roads.  

If you purchase a car and attempt to sell it before transferring the title to your name, it is known as “title jumping.” It is illegal in most states because this will bypass the official ownership and involve the act of avoiding sales tax.  

You may be able to sell a car that was never registered in your name if the title is properly transferred to you. For example, if you bought a car but never drove it or registered it, you can sell it if the title lists you as the legal owner.