For out-of-state buyers · South Florida
Buying a used car in South Florida from out of state
Have the car inspected before you book a flight or a shipper. Anthony Lapadula dispatches a Master Certified Technician who specializes in that make to the dealer lot or the seller's driveway, then calls you with the findings.
To buy a used car in South Florida from another state, send the listing to Inspect First before you commit. A technician who specializes in that make inspects it where it sits, with a full module scan, recovery of recently cleared fault codes, paint depth on every panel, a frame check and flood indicators. You get a written report with photos the same day and a phone call to decide whether to buy, negotiate or walk away. Then run the title checks, confirm Florida tag, tax and fees in writing, and arrange the trip or the shipper.
Updated 2026-10-22 · Anthony, owner / operator
How a remote purchase works, step by step
The order matters: spend money on travel and shipping only after the car has passed.
- 01
Send us the listing before you commit
Text or call Anthony with the listing link or VIN and where the car is. He confirms the make, the seller (dealer or private) and which specialist to send, and tells you which inspection tier applies.
- 02
Run the free title checks yourself
Check the VIN on NICB VINCheck for theft and insurance total-loss records, pull an NMVTIS title-brand report, and look up open recalls on NHTSA. Florida titles can carry brands such as flood or rebuilt, and a title washed through another state can look clean on a single history report.
- 03
Ask the seller to hold the car for an independent inspection
Most dealers allow an inspection on the lot. On a remote sale, a seller who refuses one is giving you important information.
- 04
We inspect the car where it sits
A technician who works on that make goes to the dealer lot, driveway or parking lot. You don't need to be there. Every module is scanned, recently cleared fault codes are recovered, every panel gets a paint-depth reading, and the frame, underbody and flood indicators are checked.
- 05
Get the report and a phone call the same day
You receive a written report with photos, by email or a text link. Anthony calls to walk you through what was found, what it costs to fix, and what to bring up with the seller.
- 06
Decide, then book the trip or the shipper
Buy, negotiate with the findings in hand, or walk away having spent a few hundred dollars instead of a plane ticket and a bad car. If you buy, confirm the out-the-door price, tag and tax in writing before you travel.
Florida rules out-of-state buyers should know
These are the points remote buyers ask about most. Rules that depend on your home state are flagged: get them confirmed in writing before you travel.
The plate stays with the seller
In Florida, license plates belong to the owner, not the car. A car bought from a private seller usually leaves without a plate. Plan to ship it, or check with your home-state DMV or a Florida tax collector's office about a temporary permit before you go.
Dealer temporary tags
Florida dealers can issue a temporary tag so you can drive the car home. Ask the dealer to confirm that it's included and how long it's valid, and check your insurance covers the drive.
Sales tax depends on your home state
Florida dealers handle tax for buyers who will register the car in another state using a nonresident affidavit, and what you owe depends on your home state's rules. Ask the dealer to show the tax line on the buyer's order before you fly down.
Dealer fees aren't capped
Florida doesn't cap dealer fees, so they vary widely between dealers. Ask for the out-the-door price in writing, with every fee itemized.
Most used cars are sold as is
The FTC Buyers Guide on the window tells you whether the car comes with a warranty. Most Florida used cars are sold as is, and there's generally no cooling-off period once you sign.
Florida as-is rights, explained →Flood cars travel
After a hurricane, flood-damaged cars get dried, detailed and sold, sometimes in other states and sometimes with clean-looking titles. Flood indicators are part of every inspection.
The South Florida flood-car checklist →
Getting the car home
Driving it home works when the dealer issues a temporary tag and your insurer covers the car from the purchase date. Plan a stop for the first oil and fluid check if the report flagged anything to watch.
Shipping is the usual choice for private sales (no plate) and for long distances. Have the inspection done first, keep the report, and note the car's condition at pickup so any transport damage is easy to prove.
What it costs
Pricing is the same for local and out-of-state buyers. The make and age of the car set the tier.
- Standard Inspection$299
- Premium / Luxury$399
- EV / Hyper-ExoticQuote
Where we inspect
We cover Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, from Homestead to Jupiter and west to Wellington. If the car is somewhere else in Florida, call Anthony anyway and he'll tell you straight whether a specialist can get there.
561-350-9389 · 7 days · 8am–6pm ET
Make specialists: BMW · Mercedes-Benz · Porsche · Audi · Tesla · Honda · Toyota · Land Rover
Out-of-state buyer FAQ
Can I buy a used car in Florida without seeing it in person?
Yes, and many buyers do. Have an independent make specialist inspect the car where it sits before you commit any money to travel or shipping. You get a written report with photos and a phone walkthrough, then decide whether to buy, negotiate or walk away.
Do I need to be there for the inspection?
No. We coordinate the time with the dealer or private seller, inspect the car on site, and send you the report the same day. Anthony then calls you to go through the findings.
How do I get the report if I live in another state?
The written report with photos arrives the same day by email or as a text link you can open on your phone, and Anthony walks you through it on a call.
What if the dealer won't allow an independent inspection?
Most South Florida dealers allow an inspection on the lot. If a dealer refuses on a car you can't see in person, treat that as a reason to walk away or ask why.
How much does a pre-purchase inspection cost for an out-of-state buyer?
The same as for local buyers: Standard is $299, Premium / Luxury is $399, and EVs and exotics are quoted by the vehicle. Payment by cash, credit card or Zelle.
Can you inspect a car outside South Florida?
We cover Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. For a car elsewhere in Florida, call Anthony at 561-350-9389 and he'll tell you whether a specialist can reach it.
Can the inspection and the call be in Spanish?
Yes. Hablamos Español. Booking, the phone walkthrough and the report can all be in Spanish.
Official sources
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Book an inspection
Found a car in Florida? Send it to Anthony before you book anything.
Text or call with the listing link or VIN and where the car is. Anthony dispatches the right specialist, usually within 24–48 hours and often the same day, and calls you with the findings. Hablamos Español.
7 days · 8am–6pm ET