Free New Mexico Car Bill of Sale
New Mexico taxes a car purchase at less than the price of lunch out: the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax is a flat 4% — notably lower than the 7–9% gross receipts tax charged on ordinary retail purchases, which does NOT apply to private vehicle sales, and with no city or county able to add anything. The paperwork is equally tidy: the signed title goes to the MVD within 30 days, and when the title's assignment section is incomplete, form MVD-10009 — the MVD's bill of sale — supplies the missing price, odometer, and signatures. A declared price under 80% of the NADA value is replaced by the NADA value for the tax, so write the real number and keep your copy.
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New Mexico Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
New Mexico charges a Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET) of 4% of the sale price (or of the NADA value if the price is under 80% of it) — one of the lower rates in the Southwest. Local gross receipts taxes (7–9%) do NOT apply to vehicle sales; only the 4% MVET.
Inspection Requirements
New Mexico does not require a state safety or emissions inspection at time of sale.
New Mexico Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- If the title assignment is incomplete (price, odometer, or signatures) or out of spaces, complete MVD-10009 with VIN, year, make, model, odometer, sale price, buyer/seller info.
- Seller signs the title assignment and odometer section.
- Buyer takes the signed title (plus MVD-10009, if needed) to NM MVD within 30 days to title and register.
- Buyer pays 4% MVET + title fee ($5) + registration fees.
Common Pitfalls
- Confusing MVET with gross receipts tax — GRT does not apply to vehicle sales in NM.
- Missing the 30-day title transfer window.
- Odometer disclosure is part of Form MVD-10009 — do not use a separate form.
- Both buyer and seller must sign the form.
Pro Tip
NM car: signed title (+ MVD-10009 if the assignment is incomplete) + NM MVD + 30-day title and registration + 4% MVET (no local GRT add-on).