What documents do I need to sell a car in the Philippines?

Original Certificate of Registration (CR); Official Receipt (OR) of the latest registration payment; Notarized Deed of Sale; Photocopies of valid government IDs of seller and buyer; PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate; Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR); Insurance Certificate of Cover (CTPL).

Do I need all the paperwork before I post my car?

No. You can publish today and gather the documents while buyers contact you. The ones marked as required by law are needed to transfer ownership.

Is it free to sell my car on MotorHangar in the Philippines?

Yes. Posting is free, takes about three minutes, and nothing on the form asks for the paperwork: you will need it when you close the sale, not to publish.

Sell your car in the Philippines: steps, documents and where to post it free

Step by step

Sign and notarize a Deed of Sale Required by law Seller and buyer

Draft a Deed of Sale with the vehicle's make, model and VIN, signed by seller and buyer, and have it notarized; notarization is what makes it valid for the LTO. Bring several copies and photocopies of two valid government IDs of each party.
SPOT.ph (Summit Media) - How to transfer vehicle ownership at the LTO (2024)
Clear any car loan first Required by law

If the car is still mortgaged (encumbered CR), the transfer needs the Certificate of Registration Encumbered, a deed of sale with assumption of mortgage with the bank's conformity, and written consent from the financing company.
Top Gear Philippines - How to transfer ownership when you sell your car
Get the PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Required by law Buyer

Take the car to a PNP Highway Patrol Group office, where engine and chassis numbers are checked by macro-etching; they issue a Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate and a Special Bank Receipt as proof of payment.
SPOT.ph (Summit Media) - How to transfer vehicle ownership at the LTO (2024)
Get the inspection report and insurance cover Required by law Buyer

Obtain a Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR) from an LTO-authorized inspection center and an insurance Certificate of Cover (CTPL), endorsed to the buyer if needed. An emission certificate is needed if the registration is renewed at the same time.
SPOT.ph (Summit Media) - How to transfer vehicle ownership at the LTO (2024)
File the transfer at the LTO Required by law Buyer

Submit the original CR, latest official receipt (OR), notarized Deed of Sale, IDs, HPG clearance, MVIR and insurance at the LTO office where the car was originally registered; at a different district office a confirmation of the CR/OR is required. The evaluator computes the fees, the car is inspected, and fees are paid at the cashier.
Top Gear Philippines - How to transfer ownership when you sell your car
Keep a copy of the new CR and the deed Recommended

The LTO issues a new CR in the buyer's name. The seller should keep a copy of the new CR and of the Deed of Sale as proof the car is no longer theirs.
Top Gear Philippines - How to transfer ownership when you sell your car

Documents checklist

Tick what you already have. This stays on your device, and none of it is needed to post your car.

Original Certificate of Registration (CR)Handed over by the seller; replaced by a new CR in the buyer's name. If mortgaged, the Certificate of Registration Encumbered (CRE).Required by law
Official Receipt (OR) of the latest registration paymentOriginal copy of the latest motor vehicle user's charge receipt.Required by law
Notarized Deed of SaleIncludes make, model and VIN and both signatures.Required by law
Photocopies of valid government IDs of seller and buyerPhoto and signature, e.g. driver's license or passport.Required by law
PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance CertificateIssued after macro-etching of engine and chassis numbers.Required by law
Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR)From an LTO-authorized inspection center.Required by law
Insurance Certificate of Cover (CTPL)Physical copy or transmitted electronically to the LTO.Required by law
Bank consent and deed with assumption of mortgageOnly if the car is still financed.Recommended

Stay safe when buyers contact you

Never sell on an open deed of sale (signed only by the registered owner, with the buyer left blank): under the Registered Owner Rule the person on the CR can be held liable for accidents and traffic violations of the car.

Questions

What documents do I need to sell a car in the Philippines?: Original Certificate of Registration (CR); Official Receipt (OR) of the latest registration payment; Notarized Deed of Sale; Photocopies of valid government IDs of seller and buyer; PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance Certificate; Motor Vehicle Inspection Report (MVIR); Insurance Certificate of Cover (CTPL).
Who registers a car sale in the Philippines?: Land Transportation Office (LTO)
Do I need all the paperwork before I post my car?: No. You can publish today and gather the documents while buyers contact you. The ones marked as required by law are needed to transfer ownership.
Is it free to sell my car on MotorHangar in the Philippines?: Yes. Posting is free, takes about three minutes, and nothing on the form asks for the paperwork: you will need it when you close the sale, not to publish.

Sources

Checked on 2026-10-14. This is a practical summary, not legal advice. Fees and forms change: confirm with Land Transportation Office (LTO) before you sign.