Austin’s fast growth has stretched dealer inventory from Round Rock and Cedar Park down to Buda and San Marcos. We help Austin buyers compare those options, and dealers in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, without spending weekends on the highway.
Car Concierge is a licensed auto broker and car buying concierge based in Minnesota, working for buyers in Austin and across the country. We don’t take money from dealers. You pay one flat fee, and our only job is getting you the right vehicle at the best price.
How it works for Austin buyers
- Tell us what you’re looking for, your budget, and your timeline, by phone or through our contact form.
- We search dealer inventory around Austin and nationwide, and bring you the best options with real pricing.
- We negotiate the price and check the buyer’s order for markups, add-ons, and fees before you sign.
- You sign and pick up locally, or we arrange delivery through our auto transport service.
Taxes and fees for Austin car buyers
Here’s what Austin buyers should expect on a dealer purchase. Rates were checked against official sources in October 2026 and can change, so confirm with your local office before you buy.
- Sales tax: You’ll pay the flat 6.25% Texas motor vehicle sales tax on the price minus your trade-in. There’s no local vehicle tax.
- How Texas taxes vehicles: Texas charges a 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax. It’s the same rate everywhere in the state, with no city or county add-on for vehicles.
- Trade-in credit: Yes. Your trade-in value comes off the taxable price dollar for dollar.
- Dealer doc fees: Texas doesn’t set a hard dollar cap. A dealer can charge up to $225 without filing anything, but must notify the state’s Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) and justify a higher fee, and has to post a notice saying the fee is not an official fee and not required by law.
- Title and registration: The title application fee is $33, and the vehicle must be titled in your name within 30 days of sale. Dealers file the paperwork for you. Paying the tax late adds a 5% penalty, or 10% after 30 days.
Registration and inspections in Travis County
Where to title: Travis County Tax Office (serves Travis County residents only).
Inspections: Travis and Williamson are emissions-testing counties, and Hays is not. Travis County requires a passing emissions inspection to title and register unless a current record is already on file. Since January 1, 2025, Texas no longer requires safety inspections for personal vehicles. A $7.50 replacement fee is added at registration instead. Emissions testing is still required in 18 counties.
Good to know in Austin
- The Travis County Tax Office recommends running TxDMV’s Title Check before buying a used vehicle, and requires title transfer within 30 days of sale.
- On Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority toll roads, paying with an electronic tag (TxTag, EZ TAG, or TollTag) is 33% cheaper than Pay By Mail.
- Texas lemon law covers problems reported within 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Buying from another state
If you buy out of state, you pay the 6.25% use tax to your county tax office when you title the car in Texas, with credit for sales tax you already paid to the other state. We handle the logistics and make sure the dealer’s paperwork matches your home state’s rules.
What it costs
Our service is a flat fee: $900 for Standard Concierge, $1,000 with trade-in help, and $1,200 for luxury vehicles over $120,000. You’ll know the total up front. See pricing for details.
Austin car buying FAQs
You’ll pay the flat 6.25% Texas motor vehicle sales tax on the price minus your trade-in. There’s no local vehicle tax.
Yes. Your trade-in value comes off the taxable price dollar for dollar.
Texas doesn’t set a hard dollar cap. A dealer can charge up to $225 without filing anything, but must notify the state’s Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) and justify a higher fee, and has to post a notice saying the fee is not an official fee and not required by law.
Travis and Williamson are emissions-testing counties, and Hays is not. Travis County requires a passing emissions inspection to title and register unless a current record is already on file.
Yes. We search dealers nationwide and can arrange delivery through our auto transport service. If you buy out of state, you pay the 6.25% use tax to your county tax office when you title the car in Texas, with credit for sales tax you already paid to the other state.
We charge a flat fee: $900 for Standard Concierge, $1,000 with trade-in help, and $1,200 for luxury vehicles over $120,000. We don’t accept dealer compensation.
Get started
Ready to buy your next vehicle in Austin without the dealership hassle? Schedule a consultation or call 612.662.7788. Want to see the other markets we serve? Browse all service areas.
Sources: Travis County Tax Office: Buying a vehicle; CTRMA: Toll FAQ; Texas Comptroller: Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax; Texas DPS: Vehicle inspection program changes; TxDMV: Buying or selling a vehicle.