Car Concierge started in Central Minnesota, and the Twin Cities are part of our home market. We know the Twin Cities dealership landscape, from Bloomington, Golden Valley, and St. Louis Park to White Bear Lake, Brooklyn Park, and Burnsville.
Car Concierge is a licensed auto broker and car buying concierge based right here in Minnesota, working for buyers in Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis car buyers
Here’s what Minneapolis 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 Minnesota’s 6.875% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax, plus Hennepin County’s $20 excise tax on vehicles bought from a dealer.
- How Minnesota taxes vehicles: Minnesota charges a 6.875% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax on the purchase price.
- Trade-in credit: Yes. A trade-in to a licensed dealer reduces the taxable price.
- Dealer doc fees: Minnesota caps dealer doc fees at the lesser of $350 or 10% of the vehicle’s value (since July 1, 2025). The fee must be listed separately and isn’t subject to sales tax.
- Title and registration: Ownership must be transferred within 10 days of sale. Dealers submit the transfer for you.
Registration and inspections in Hennepin County
Where to title: Any Minnesota deputy registrar office, or DVS by mail (dealers submit transfers for you).
Inspections: None. Minnesota hasn’t had emissions testing since the Twin Cities program ended in 2000. Minnesota has no emissions testing. The Twin Cities program ended in 2000.
Good to know in Minneapolis
- Ownership must be transferred within 10 days of sale.
- Minnesota doc fees are capped at the lesser of $350 or 10% of the vehicle’s value.
- Minnesota requires dealers to give a statutory warranty on most used vehicles under 200,000 miles.
Buying from another state
If you buy outside Minnesota, you pay Minnesota’s motor vehicle sales tax when you title the vehicle here. 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.
Minneapolis car buying FAQs
You’ll pay Minnesota’s 6.875% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax, plus Hennepin County’s $20 excise tax on vehicles bought from a dealer.
Yes. A trade-in to a licensed dealer reduces the taxable price.
Minnesota caps dealer doc fees at the lesser of $350 or 10% of the vehicle’s value (since July 1, 2025). The fee must be listed separately and isn’t subject to sales tax.
None. Minnesota hasn’t had emissions testing since the Twin Cities program ended in 2000.
Yes. We search dealers nationwide and can arrange delivery through our auto transport service. If you buy outside Minnesota, you pay Minnesota’s motor vehicle sales tax when you title the vehicle here.
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 Minneapolis 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: MN DOR: Vehicle excise tax; MN DOR: Motor vehicle sales tax; Minn. Stat. 168.27 (doc fee cap); MN DVS: Title transfer.