How to Write a Bill of Sale

Start with a clear title such as 'Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale' and the state where the sale takes place.

List the seller's full legal name and address, then the buyer's full legal name and address.

Describe the vehicle: year, make, model, body style, color, and VIN. Include the current odometer reading.

State the sale date and purchase price in numbers and words if possible.

Include federal odometer disclosure language for vehicles under 20 years old.

Add governing law language referencing the state of sale and an as-is clause if applicable.

Leave space for both parties to sign and date the document.

Car bills of sale must include the VIN because it uniquely identifies the vehicle. Never leave the VIN blank.

Verify the odometer reading matches what's recorded on the title assignment. Discrepancies can cause DMV delays.

If the car is sold as-is, state that clearly. Private party sales are generally as-is unless otherwise agreed.

Writing a bill of sale from scratch risks missing required fields. Our wizard at billandsale.com walks you through every step, validates the VIN, includes state-specific language, and collects both signatures electronically.

The finished document downloads as PDF and Word for $9.99 per completed sale.