I just thought I’d share my experience having recently gone through this with Audi and their lease buyout/transfer process.
I tried to shop around my Audi as it presumably had about 10k of equity in it, after learning Audi charges dealerships almost market value I decided to buy it out myself which took about 40 days from sending check in to getting title in hand.
I then shopped that around to all the online dealers, Carmax, Carvana, Vroom, Shift - no one would take the Lessor Title. I did try CarStub but they don’t service the Bay area. My Car Auction was a low offer but would have taked it I think - never followed through with them.
After a quick visit to the DMV they told me private sale is ok, but the dealers don’t generally take it. So I simultaneously listed in on CL.
I completed the sale with a private buyer within the 10 days (9 days from the bill of sale date from Audi), we both went to the DMV, I signed my title which they took and then the buyer filled out an application for title or registration which the DMV gave him. We both filled out bill of sale. He paid the tax and all was done.
Not sure if I still need the CDTFA exemption form since it I didn’t have to pay tax a the DMV, I presume not since I never officially transferred the title to me or registered it in my name.
Hope this helps others… and if anyone has an answer on the CDTFA form please let me know - the DMV didn’t have an answer for that.