Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form

Use our motor vehicle bill of sale form to record the sale of a vehicle and protect both buyer and seller.

Updated May 21, 2024
Written by Sara Hostelley | Reviewed by Brooke Davis

A motor vehicle bill of sale is a legal document that records the sale of a car, motorcycle, or another vehicle between a seller and a buyer by transferring ownership of a vehicle from one person to another.

Once the new owner possesses the vehicle, they must register it at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in their state. Depending on the jurisdiction, the DMV may require the owner to present a bill of sale so they can obtain a title.

A bill of sale is especially important when you buy the vehicle privately instead of through a dealership.

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• What It Includes
• Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Sample
• Odometer Disclosure Statement

What It Includes

Here are the elements you must include in a motor vehicle bill of sale form:

• Parties’ information: Include the buyer’s and seller’s names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, and signatures.
• Date of the sale: Detail when you’re conducting the sale.
• Vehicle description: Describe the vehicle, including its condition, vehicle identification number (VIN), model, make, year, body style, and color.
• Purchase price: Write the purchase price the buyer will pay, indicating whether it includes sales taxes. Please state the reduced price if the vehicle is a partial gift.
• Payment method: Record the buyer’s payment method, whether PayPal, cash, credit card, money order, cashier’s check, personal check, or another method.
• Warranty information: Report any vehicle warranties, including contracts that protect against issues with the vehicle’s mechanical components and other exterior or interior parts. Don’t include expired warranties.

Private Party Sale of a Car

A private party sale is when a buyer purchases a car from an individual instead of a dealer, which can provide unique benefits over going to a dealership.

IMPORTANT

Most states don’t require private sellers to ensure the vehicle will pass an inspection. Therefore, it’s crucial to have the car checked by an independent party before purchasing. Ensure that the “as-is” condition is clearly stated in the bill of sale to understand the agreement fully.

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Sample

Odometer Disclosure Statement

Odometer Disclosure Statement

Federal law requires a vehicle bill of sale to include a statement verifying the vehicle’s mileage if the vehicle is under 10 years old and equal to or less than 16,000 pounds and those older than 10 years.

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The document above is a sample. Please note that the language you see here may change depending on your answers to the document questionnaire.