What county is Buffalo in, and which office handles title transfers?
Buffalo is in Erie County. Title transfers are handled by the Erie County DMV – Buffalo at 1800 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14208. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:00 PM. Phone: (716) 858-8864.
City release page
Buffalo, New York Car Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a car in Buffalo, New York. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Buffalo, New YorkCarPopulation rank #77
What to include
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Car VIN and vehicle details
- Sale price and date
- Signatures from both parties
Next step
Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.
Local Requirements — Erie County
DMV / Title Office
Erie County DMV – Buffalo
Address
1800 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14208
Phone
(716) 858-8864
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$50.00
Sales Tax Rate
8.00%
Base Registration Fee
$26.00
New York State 4% + Erie County 4%
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
New York does not require notarization.
Buffalo Transfer Checklist
- Complete MV-912 at the Erie County DMV
- Sales tax at title transfer
- Odometer disclosure for vehicles under 10 years old
- Both parties sign the title
County Information — Erie County
Car market data and safety information
The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used car
Before completing a car bill of sale in New York, verify these safety items:
- Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
- Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
- Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
- Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching
Car insurance and depreciation in New York
Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.
Car registration and titling
Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.
Car sales in Buffalo, New York
Buffalo residents completing a car bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to New York state rules. The state sales tax rate is 4%, 4% state plus county/city taxes (total up to 8.875% in nyc). The most popular car makes in New York include Toyota, Honda, Ford.
New York bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 6,134 bill of sale documents for New York transactions, with 165 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price
45% faster sale
Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.
Source: Experian / AutoCheck
$4,000 avg loss
NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.
Source: NHTSA
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
1 in 3 buyers
Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.
Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate on a car sale in Buffalo?
The combined rate is 8.00%. New York State 4% + Erie County 4%.
Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in Buffalo?
No. New York does not require notarization.
What fees should I expect when transferring a car title in Buffalo?
Title transfer fee: $50.00. Base registration fee: $26.00. Sales tax at 8.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.