Richmond buyers can shop locally along Broad Street and Midlothian Turnpike, or reach Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads in a couple of hours. We compare them and handle the Virginia paperwork.
Car Concierge is a licensed auto broker and car buying concierge based in Minnesota, working for buyers in Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond car buyers
Here’s what Richmond 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 Virginia’s 4.15% sales and use tax on the gross price, including the processing fee. Virginia doesn’t reduce the tax for a trade-in.
- How Virginia taxes vehicles: Virginia charges a 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax at titling ($75 minimum), on the gross sales price including the dealer processing fee.
- Trade-in credit: No. In Virginia, the trade-in doesn’t reduce the taxable price.
- Dealer doc fees: Virginia doesn’t cap processing fees, but a dealer must post the fee on a sign in the sales area and list it on your buyer’s order. The fee is also subject to the 4.15% tax.
- Title and registration: The title fee is $15 plus tax. You can title at a DMV customer service center, a DMV Select office, by mail, or through the dealer.
Registration and inspections in City of Richmond
Where to title: Virginia DMV customer service centers or DMV Select (personal property tax goes to the Richmond Department of Finance).
Inspections: Only the statewide annual safety inspection. Richmond isn’t in the Northern Virginia emissions area. Virginia requires an annual safety inspection statewide ($20). Emissions testing applies only in Northern Virginia.
Good to know in Richmond
- Richmond’s personal property tax on passenger vehicles is $3.70 per $100 of assessed value, due annually June 5, plus a separate vehicle license fee.
- Localities also charge an annual personal property tax on vehicles, partly offset by state tax relief on the first $20,000 of value.
Buying from another state
Sales and use tax is collected when the vehicle is first titled in Virginia. A vehicle bought out of state needs a Virginia safety inspection right away. 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.
Richmond car buying FAQs
You’ll pay Virginia’s 4.15% sales and use tax on the gross price, including the processing fee. Virginia doesn’t reduce the tax for a trade-in.
No. In Virginia, the trade-in doesn’t reduce the taxable price.
Virginia doesn’t cap processing fees, but a dealer must post the fee on a sign in the sales area and list it on your buyer’s order. The fee is also subject to the 4.15% tax.
Only the statewide annual safety inspection. Richmond isn’t in the Northern Virginia emissions area.
Yes. We search dealers nationwide and can arrange delivery through our auto transport service. Sales and use tax is collected when the vehicle is first titled in Virginia. A vehicle bought out of state needs a Virginia safety inspection right away.
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 Richmond 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: City of Richmond: Vehicle personal property taxes; Virginia DMV: Sales and use tax; Va. Code 46.2-1530 (processing fee); Virginia State Police: Inspection FAQs.