What a bill of sale for a car sold as-is actually does
A bill of sale is a written record that you sold a car to someone else on a specific date for a specific price. When you write "as-is" on it, you are documenting that the buyer took the car in whatever condition it was in at the time of sale — you are not making any promises about how it runs, what repairs it needs, or how long it will last. The bill of sale protects you by creating a paper trail showing the sale happened, who bought it, and that the buyer knew what they were getting.
This document is not a legal contract that overrides state law, and it does not erase a buyer's right to sue you if the car has hidden defects in some states. What it does do is show you made no false claims about the vehicle's condition. In most states, you can write a bill of sale on a blank piece of paper or use your state's official form — both carry the same weight.
Key Takeaways
- A bill of sale is a written record of the sale that names the buyer, seller, vehicle, price, and date — it protects you by documenting the transaction happened.
- Writing "as-is" on the bill of sale means you are not guaranteeing anything about the car's condition, but this does not eliminate all buyer protections under state law.
- Most states do not require a specific form; you can write one yourself on plain paper or read your state's template from the DMV website.
- The bill of sale should be signed and dated by both you and the buyer, and each person should keep a copy for their records.
- Selling a car as-is does not mean you can hide known problems — you must still disclose major defects in most states, even if the car is sold as-is.
What information to include on the bill of sale
Start with the date of the sale at the top. Then write your full name and address as the seller, and the buyer's full name and address. Include the vehicle identification number (VIN), which you will find on the driver's side of the dashboard or on the title document. Write down the year, make, model, and color of the car.
Next, write the price you agreed on — use the actual dollar amount, not "cash" or "negotiated." Then add a line that says something like "Sold as-is, with no warranties" or "Buyer accepts vehicle in current condition." Some people add a line describing the car's known condition: "Engine runs, transmission slips, needs new tires." This is optional but helpful because it shows you were transparent about what you knew.
Leave space for both signatures and dates at the bottom. You do not need a notary public to make a bill of sale valid in most states, but some people get one anyway for extra protection — check your state's DMV website to see if notarization is required or recommended where you live.
Where to find your state's bill of sale form
Most states have an official bill of sale form on their DMV or Secretary of State website. Search "[your state] bill of sale form" or go directly to your state's DMV website and look for a forms section. Some states call it a "motor vehicle bill of sale," others call it a "vehicle sales agreement." read the PDF, print it, and fill it out by hand or on your computer before signing.
If your state does not have an official form, you can write one yourself on plain paper. The form does not have to be fancy — it just needs the information listed in the section above. Some people use a template from a legal website, but make sure it is for your state, because requirements vary. If you are unsure whether your state requires a specific form, call your local DMV and ask.
How to handle the signing and copies
Both you and the buyer should sign and date the bill of sale in front of each other. You do not need a witness, but having one does not hurt. Make at least two copies — one for you and one for the buyer. If you are getting the car title transferred to the buyer's name, you may need to submit the bill of sale to your state's DMV along with the title, so keep your copy in a safe place.
Some states require you to submit the bill of sale to the DMV within a certain number of days after the sale. Check your state's rules before you sign. If you do not submit it and the buyer gets into an accident or racks up parking tickets, you could still be held liable because the title has not been transferred yet. Submitting the bill of sale protects you by creating an official record that you no longer own the car.
What "as-is" actually protects you from
Selling a car as-is protects you from claims that you promised the car would run a certain way or last a certain amount of time. If the buyer says "You told me the transmission was fine" and you did not, the bill of sale with "as-is" language helps show you made no such promise. It also protects you if the buyer later discovers a problem and tries to return the car or demand money back.
However, as-is does not protect you from claims that you knowingly hid a major defect. If you knew the engine was cracked and did not tell the buyer, writing "as-is" on the bill of sale will not shield you from a lawsuit in most states. You are still required to disclose known problems — the as-is language just means you are not guaranteeing the car will not have problems you do not know about. The difference is important: you must tell the truth about what you know, but you do not have to promise the car is perfect.
What happens after the bill of sale is signed
Once both of you have signed, the buyer owns the car, but the title is still in your name until the buyer registers it in their name at the DMV. This is why you need to submit the bill of sale to your state's DMV — it creates an official record that you transferred ownership on that date. Without it, you remain the registered owner and could be held responsible for anything the car does.
The buyer will take the bill of sale and the title to the DMV to register the car in their name. They will pay registration fees and get a new title with their name on it. Once that happens, you have no further responsibility for the car. Keep your copy of the bill of sale for at least three to five years in case questions come up later.
Common mistakes to avoid when writing a bill of sale
Do not leave the price blank or write "cash" instead of an amount — use the actual dollar figure. Do not sign the bill of sale before the buyer does, or let the buyer take it unsigned. Do not forget to include the VIN, because without it the document does not clearly identify which car was sold. Do not assume your state does not require you to submit it to the DMV — check first.
Do not write anything on the bill of sale that is not true, even if you think it will make the sale easier. Do not agree to sell a car as-is and then tell the buyer you will fix something later — if you promise a repair, put it in writing on the bill of sale or in a separate agreement. Do not keep the only copy; make sure the buyer gets one too. And do not skip this step entirely — a verbal agreement to sell a car leaves you with no proof the sale happened, which can cause problems when you try to transfer the title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a notary to make the bill of sale legal?
Most states do not require a notary, but some recommend it. Check your state's DMV website to see if notarization is required where you live. If it is not required but you want extra protection, you can have a notary public witness the signatures for a small fee — usually five to ten dollars.
What if the buyer does not show up to sign the bill of sale?
The sale is not complete until both of you sign. Do not hand over the keys or the title until the buyer has signed the bill of sale in front of you. If the buyer refuses to sign or disappears, the car is still yours and you have no obligation to complete the sale.
Can I sell a car as-is if it does not run at all?
Yes, you can sell a non-running car as-is. You must still disclose that it does not run — write it clearly on the bill of sale so the buyer cannot claim they did not know. As-is means the buyer accepts it in that condition; it does not mean you can hide the fact that it does not work.
What if the buyer wants to return the car after signing the bill of sale?
Once the bill of sale is signed, the sale is final in most states. The buyer cannot return the car just because they changed their mind or discovered a problem, unless you agreed in writing to a return period. If you did agree to let them return it, put that agreement in writing and sign it.
Do I need to keep the bill of sale after the buyer registers the car?
Yes, keep your copy for at least three to five years. If a question comes up about when the sale happened or who owned the car at a certain time, the bill of sale is your proof. Store it somewhere safe, like a filing cabinet or safe deposit box.