Vehicle Bill of Sale

Record a private vehicle sale: the vehicle, the price, the mileage and the transfer of title. Fill in what you know, send one link, and the buyer completes and signs.

A vehicle bill of sale records the private sale of a car, truck, motorcycle or other titled vehicle: the vehicle’s identifying details, the price, the odometer reading and its accuracy, the condition it is sold in, and the seller’s promise that the title is clear. Both parties sign it.

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What it covers

When to use it

What it does not do

Signing, witnesses and delivery

The agreement

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement

This Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale (the "Bill of Sale") is made on [Date of sale] between [Seller full name (as on the title)], of [Seller address] ("Seller"), and [Buyer full name], of [Buyer address] ("Buyer"). Seller is the owner of the vehicle described below and has agreed to sell it to Buyer, and Buyer has agreed to buy it, on the terms below. Seller and Buyer are each a "Party" and together the "Parties".

1. The Vehicle

Seller sells, transfers and conveys to Buyer all of Seller’s right, title and interest in the following motor vehicle: Year [Year], Make [Make], Model [Model], Body style [Body style], Color [Color], Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) [Vehicle identification number (VIN)], License plate [License plate and state (or "None")], together with all keys, remotes, manuals, records and accessories in Seller’s possession that belong to it (the "Vehicle").

2. Purchase Price and Payment

The purchase price for the Vehicle is [Purchase price] (the "Purchase Price"), paid by: [How the price is paid]. Seller acknowledges receipt of the Purchase Price in full, except that if payment is by personal check, Seller may keep the signed certificate of title until the check has cleared. Sales or use tax on this sale shall be paid by: [Sales or use tax paid by]. Title, registration and plate fees shall be paid by Buyer.

3. Odometer Disclosure Statement

Federal law (and State law, if applicable) requires that you state the mileage upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

I, [Seller full name (as on the title)], state that the odometer of the Vehicle described above now reads [Odometer reading (miles, no tenths)] miles (no tenths), and that, to the best of my knowledge: [Odometer disclosure]. Buyer acknowledges this disclosure by signing this Bill of Sale. Seller shall also complete the odometer disclosure on the certificate of title or on the state’s secure odometer form where required, and in the event of a difference the disclosure on the title controls.

4. Condition; Sold As Is

The Vehicle is sold AS IS and WITH ALL FAULTS. Except for the warranty of title in Section 5, Seller makes no warranty of any kind, express or implied, about the Vehicle, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, and all such warranties are disclaimed. Seller does not warrant the mechanical condition, safety, emissions compliance, mileage beyond the disclosure above, or future performance of the Vehicle. Any manufacturer’s or third-party warranty that remains on the Vehicle is transferred to Buyer to the extent it is transferable, without any obligation on Seller.

Seller discloses the following known defects, damage or history: [Known defects, damage or history disclosed by seller (or "None")]. Buyer acknowledges having had the opportunity to inspect and test drive the Vehicle, or to have it inspected by a mechanic of Buyer’s choice, and is buying it in reliance on that inspection and on Seller’s disclosures and not on any other statement. Nothing in this Section excuses a fraudulent misrepresentation by Seller.

5. Warranty of Title; Liens

Seller warrants that Seller is the legal owner of the Vehicle as shown on its certificate of title, has full right and authority to sell it, and that the Vehicle is not stolen. Liens: [Liens]. Lien holder: [Lien holder name and approximate payoff (or "None")]. If a lien exists, Seller shall pay it off and obtain a lien release from the lien holder before delivering the title, and Buyer may pay the payoff amount directly to the lien holder and deduct it from the Purchase Price. Except for any lien so stated, Seller warrants that the Vehicle is free of all liens, loans, leases and claims, and shall defend Buyer’s title against any claim arising from events before delivery.

6. Transfer of Title and Registration

At delivery and upon payment in full, Seller shall deliver to Buyer the original certificate of title for the Vehicle, signed by every owner named on it and with the odometer disclosure completed, together with any lien release, current registration and emissions or safety certificate the state requires the seller to provide. Buyer shall apply to register and title the Vehicle in Buyer’s name within the time the state allows and shall pay all taxes and fees due on the transfer. Seller may remove the license plates where state law provides that plates stay with the seller, and shall file any notice of transfer or release of liability the state provides. Each Party shall sign any further document reasonably needed to complete the transfer.

7. Delivery, Risk of Loss and Insurance

Buyer takes possession of the Vehicle on the date of sale unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing. Title passes to Buyer on payment of the Purchase Price and delivery of the signed certificate of title; risk of loss or damage passes to Buyer on possession. Buyer is responsible for insuring the Vehicle from the moment of possession, and Seller may cancel Seller’s coverage after that time. Buyer shall not drive the Vehicle on public roads until it is insured and lawfully registered or covered by a temporary permit.

8. Indemnity

Seller shall indemnify Buyer against any claim, fine, toll, ticket, tax or liability arising from the ownership or operation of the Vehicle before possession passed to Buyer. Buyer shall indemnify Seller against any claim, fine, toll, ticket, tax or liability arising from the ownership or operation of the Vehicle after possession passed to Buyer, including any accident, damage or injury caused by the Vehicle.

9. General

This Bill of Sale is governed by the laws of the State of [Governing law (state)]. It is the entire agreement between the Parties about the Vehicle and supersedes any advertisement, listing, message or prior discussion. It may be amended only in a writing signed by both Parties. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder remains in effect. This Bill of Sale binds and benefits the Parties and their heirs, successors and assigns.

10. Electronic Signatures; Counterparts

This Bill of Sale may be signed electronically and in counterparts, each of which is an original and all of which together are one instrument. The electronic execution record, timestamps and document fingerprints kept by the signing platform are conclusive evidence of its execution. Where the state motor vehicle agency requires a wet-ink or notarized signature on its own form, the Parties shall also complete that form, and this Bill of Sale remains their binding agreement.

Signatures

Seller · Buyer

Vehicle Bill of Sale FAQ

Does my state require a bill of sale to transfer a car?

Many do, or ask for one to calculate sales tax or when the title has no price field. Several states publish their own form and some, including Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming, notarize the title or the bill of sale in at least some transfers. This document is a complete bill of sale for every state; check whether yours also wants its own form or a notarized signature.

What is the odometer disclosure and why is the wording so formal?

Federal law (49 U.S.C. §32705 and 49 C.F.R. Part 580) requires the seller of most vehicles to disclose the mileage in writing and to state whether it is the actual mileage, not the actual mileage, or beyond the odometer’s mechanical limits. The statement in Section 3 uses the required wording. Vehicles with a model year of 2011 or later are covered for twenty years; older vehicles are exempt after ten years. Giving a false odometer statement is a federal offense.

What does “as is” mean for a used car?

The buyer accepts the vehicle in its present condition with no warranty about how it runs, what it needs or how long it will last. The seller still warrants that they own the vehicle and that the title is clear, and must not lie about the vehicle. Listing known problems, such as a check-engine light or a prior accident, protects the seller because the buyer has acknowledged them.

Can I sell a car that still has a loan on it?

Yes, but the lien must be released before the buyer can register the vehicle. The usual approach is to pay the loan off from the sale proceeds at the lender, who then releases the lien on the title or issues a lien release letter. The bill of sale lets the seller state the lien and promise to have it released, and the buyer should not hand over the full price until that is arranged.

Can the buyer fill in their own details?

Yes. Fill in the vehicle, price, odometer reading and any defects, leave the buyer’s name, address and email blank, and send it. The buyer completes those fields when they open the link and you see them before you sign. Do not leave the odometer fields blank for the buyer; the seller must complete those.

Do I need to notify the DMV after I sell?

Yes, in most states. A release of liability or notice of transfer tells the DMV you no longer own the vehicle, so you are not chased for tolls, tickets or accidents after the sale. California, for example, requires it within five days. File it as soon as the buyer drives away.

Related templates

This template is general information, not legal advice. Laws differ by state; review anything important with a lawyer.