Vehicle bill of sale template
A vehicle bill of sale records a private sale of a car, truck, motorcycle or trailer: who sold it, who bought it, what it was, the price and the mileage. This template includes the VIN, an odometer statement, an as-is clause and the seller's promise that there are no hidden liens. Read it below, then use it alongside the title, which is what actually moves ownership.
Updated November 5, 2026 · 3 min read
The contract
Gray blanks are yours to fill in before you send. Each signer fills in the blanks in their color.
- You, before sending
- Seller
- Buyer
Vehicle Bill of Sale
1. Seller and buyer
Seller: Seller name, of Seller address, phone Seller phone (the "Seller").
Buyer: Buyer name, of Buyer address, phone Buyer phone (the "Buyer").
2. The vehicle
The Seller sells, and the Buyer buys, the following vehicle (the "Vehicle"):
- Year, make and model: Year make and model. Body style and color: Body style and color
- Vehicle identification number (VIN): VIN
- Title number and state: Title number and state. License plate: License plate
- Included with the Vehicle: Items included
3. Odometer statement
The Seller states that the odometer now reads Odometer reading miles, and that to the best of the Seller's knowledge (tick one):
- The reading is the actual mileage of the Vehicle.
- The mileage is more than the odometer's mechanical limit.
- The reading is not the actual mileage. Warning: odometer discrepancy.
Federal and state law require the Seller to state the mileage when ownership is transferred, and giving a false statement may result in fines or imprisonment. Where the law requires it, the Seller will also complete the odometer statement on the title.
4. Price and payment
The purchase price is Purchase price. The Buyer has paid a deposit of Deposit and will pay the balance by Payment method at or before delivery. The Seller will not hand over the keys or the signed title until the full price has been received and, for any check or transfer, has cleared.
5. Condition: sold as is
The Buyer has had the chance to inspect and test drive the Vehicle and to have it inspected by a mechanic of their choice. The Vehicle is sold AS IS, with all faults, and the Seller gives no warranty, express or implied, about its condition, except the statements in this document. The Seller has told the Buyer about these known problems: Known problems. Nothing in this section protects the Seller from liability for a problem the Seller knew about and hid.
6. Title and liens
The Seller is the legal owner of the Vehicle and has the right to sell it. The Vehicle is free of any loan, lien or claim, except a lien held by Lienholder name, which the Seller will pay off from the purchase price so that the lienholder releases the title. The Seller will sign the title over to the Buyer at delivery, or as soon as the lienholder releases it.
7. Delivery
The Vehicle will be delivered to the Buyer on Delivery date at Delivery location, with all keys, the owner's manual and any service records the Seller has. Responsibility for the Vehicle, including any damage, passes to the Buyer at delivery. The license plates will be handled as the law of the state of registration requires.
8. After the sale
The Seller will file any notice of transfer or release of liability the state requires. The Buyer will title, register and insure the Vehicle as the law requires, and is responsible for tickets, tolls and fees arising after delivery. The Buyer pays any sales or use tax, title and registration fees.
9. General terms
This bill of sale is the full agreement between the Seller and the Buyer about the Vehicle. It is governed by the laws of the state of State. It may be signed electronically, but it does not replace the certificate of title or any form the state motor vehicle agency requires.
I had the chance to inspect the Vehicle, I have read the odometer statement, and I accept the Vehicle as is.
Seller
Buyer
Opens it in SignMaster as a template you can edit and send.
A starting point, not legal advice. Have a lawyer review it for your state and situation.
On this page
What it does, and what it doesn't
The bill of sale is the contract: proof of the price, the date and the condition you both accepted. It's what you show the DMV for tax and registration, your insurer, or a small claims judge if the buyer later says the car was misrepresented. Many DMVs ask for one, and some publish their own form you can use alongside this one.
It isn't the title. Ownership passes when the seller signs over the certificate of title and the buyer registers the vehicle. Our guide on signing a bill of sale online explains why the title itself usually stays on paper; this page is about the bill of sale.
What the template covers
- Seller and buyer: names, addresses and phone numbers.
- The vehicle: year, make, model, body style, color, VIN, title number and plate number.
- Odometer reading: the mileage, and whether it's the actual mileage, beyond the odometer's mechanical limit, or not accurate.
- Price and payment: the sale price, any deposit, and how the balance is paid.
- As-is sale: the buyer takes the vehicle in its current condition, with known problems listed.
- Liens and title: the seller owns it outright, or names the lender being paid off, and will sign the title over.
- Handover: the date of delivery, the keys and documents handed over, and what happens to the plates.
- After the sale: the seller files any notice of transfer, and the buyer registers and insures the vehicle.
Mistakes private sellers make
- Leaving off the odometer reading. Federal rules require a mileage disclosure when most vehicles change hands, and model year 2011 and newer vehicles now need one until they're 20 years old. The title carries the official statement; the bill of sale backs it up.
- Not listing known problems. An as-is clause protects you from complaints about issues you didn't know about, not from a defect you hid.
- Handing over the keys before the money clears. Wait for cash, a cashier's check you've verified with the bank, or a completed transfer.
- Forgetting the DMV. In many states the seller has to file a notice of transfer or release of liability within a few days, or tickets and tolls keep coming to you.
- Leaving the plates on. In many states plates stay with the seller; check your DMV's rule before the buyer drives off.
How to send it with SignMaster
- 1
Open the template
Choose Use this template above. The seller and buyer are set up as signers, seller first.
- 2
Fill in the vehicle
Type the VIN, mileage, price and any known problems into the gray blanks. Copy the VIN from the title and check it against the dashboard plate.
- 3
Sign together at the handover
Swapping keys for payment in person? Choose Sign in person, then pass your phone so the buyer can sign in turn. They don't need an app or an account.
- 4
Or send it ahead
If the buyer is collecting later, email the link so they can read and sign before they arrive, and bring the title to the handover.
- 5
Keep the signed copy
Both of you get the PDF with a certificate of completion. Keep it with a copy of the signed title and the DMV transfer receipt.
The gray blanks are the seller's to fill in before sending: the vehicle, the price, the odometer reading and the seller's details. The buyer fills in their own name, address and phone, ticks that they inspected the vehicle, and signs. The seller ticks the odometer statement while signing.
Questions? Answers.
Does a vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?
In most states, no. A few states require a notarized bill of sale or title in some situations, so check your DMV first. If a notary is required, print the document and sign it in front of one.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Not on its own. The certificate of title is proof of ownership; the bill of sale proves the terms of the sale. You'll usually need both to register the vehicle.
Can I sell a car that still has a loan on it?
Yes, but the lender holds the title until the loan is paid. The template has a blank for the lienholder; private sales often close at the lender's branch so the payoff and title release happen together.
Does the buyer need to sign?
It's best if they do. Their signature shows they accepted the price, the mileage and the as-is terms, which protects you if they later claim otherwise.