Private-Party Buying & SellingQuestionCommunity Starter

2024 Audi Q5 — private seller still has a loan on the car

DieselGal547Community StarterDec 16, 20252024 Audi Q5 Premium PlusBrooklyn
I like a privately listed car, but the seller still owes money and does not have a clear paper title in hand. What is the safest way to handle payoff, lien release, payment and possession? I am in Brooklyn. I am trying to get the facts straight before spending money.
apr
1.82
location
Brooklyn
term months
48
asking price
18000
dealer addons
895
dealer doc fee
85
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11 replies

DieselGal547Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 16, 2025permalink
OP here. Still looking, but I'm waiting on inspection notes before I send money on the 2024 Audi Q5. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
DieselGal547Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 16, 2025permalink
Quick update: a second 2024 Audi Q5 quote made the first offer look ordinary. If they get vague again I'm shopping the deal elsewhere.
HighwayDaily626Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 16, 2025permalink
Private-party deals fail on paperwork, not vibes. If the 2024 Audi Q5 still shows a lien, coordinate payoff with the lender before any cash changes hands. That's where I'd start. I'd want that in writing, not as a promise. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
HighwayDaily626Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 16, 2025permalink
Private-party deals fail on paperwork, not vibes. Bill of sale, VIN, odometer, and names matching the title — I'd want all four on the 2024 Audi Q5. I'd do that before spending real money. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Going to compare one more dealer before I decide.
GarageMechanicish119Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 16, 2025permalink
Title status is the whole conversation. Independent PPI on the 2024 Audi Q5 is cheap insurance versus a seller who “already had a friend look at it.” Then you'll know the next fork. Stop there until you know. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
MarketMom68Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 16, 2025permalink
Title status is the whole conversation. If the 2024 Audi Q5 still shows a lien, coordinate payoff with the lender before any cash changes hands. Then you'll know the next fork. Just my two cents from doing this recently. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
MarketMom68Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 17, 2025permalink
Don't get cute with the meetup or the payment. Meet at a bank or dealer title office for the 2024 Audi Q5, not a parking lot at night. That's where I'd start. This is from a 2024 Audi Q5 in Brooklyn. Just my two cents from doing this recently. Make the next action something you can finish this week. Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
ProjectGeekCommunity StarterCommunity StarterDec 17, 2025permalink
I'd treat this like cash with a paper trail. A rushed deposit before you can inspect the 2024 Audi Q5 is enough reason to walk. I'd do that before spending real money. On “private seller still has a loan on,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. I screenshotted the quote for later.
BoostHunter990Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 17, 2025permalink
Private-party deals fail on paperwork, not vibes. Bill of sale, VIN, odometer, and names matching the title — I'd want all four on the 2024 Audi Q5. That's where I'd start. Verbal 'we'll take care of it' is not a plan. I've seen both outcomes, which is why I'd test instead of assume. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
LongMilesWrench19Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 17, 2025permalink
Title status is the whole conversation. Independent PPI on the 2024 Audi Q5 is cheap insurance versus a seller who “already had a friend look at it.” That's where I'd start. Stop there until you know. Not trying to scare you — just skip the expensive first guess. PPI guy I use is booked until next week, so I'm waiting.
DieselGeek330Community StarterCommunity StarterDec 17, 2025permalink
Don't get cute with the meetup or the payment. Independent PPI on the 2024 Audi Q5 is cheap insurance versus a seller who “already had a friend look at it.” I'd do that before spending real money. When does it actually happen? Calling insurance in the morning before I reply to the desk.
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