MAKE YOUR FREE Vehicle Bill of Sale

Making your Vehicle Bill of Sale online is simple. Just answer a few questions and Rocket Lawyer will build your document for you. When you have all the information about the shares and your transaction prepared in advance, creating your document is a quick and easy process. 

To make a Vehicle Bill of Sale, you will need the following information: 

Party details

• What are the seller’s (ie your) details?

• What are the buyer’s details?

Vehicle details

• What are the details of the vehicle (ie manufacturer, year manufactured, model and colour)?

• What is the vehicle registration number?

• What is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number?

• What is the vehicle engine number?

• What is the vehicle’s current mileage?

Agreement details

• What sale price was advertised for the vehicle?

• How much will the buyer pay for the vehicle?

• Will the buyer pay the full amount on the date of this agreement or just a deposit?

  • If the buyer will only pay the deposit, how much is the deposit?

  • If the buyer will only pay the deposit, when is the balance due?

Faults or damages

• Are there any faults or damages to the vehicle?

  • If there are faults or damages, will these be described in the agreement or will a vehicle diagram be attached?

  • If the faults or damages will be described, what are the faults or damages to the vehicle?

A Vehicle Bill of Sale sets out the terms under which a vehicle is transferred from a private seller to a private buyer. To do this, Vehicle Bills of Sale will typically include:

• the seller’s details - the seller’s full name, address and phone number

• the buyer’s details - the buyer’s full name, address and phone number

• vehicle details - the details of the vehicle, including the manufacturer, year manufactured, model, colour, VIN, advertised sale price and amount actually paid by the buyer

• seller's warranties - the seller warrants (ie guarantees) that the following conditions and statements are true:

  • the vehicle is free of any liabilities, liens (ie it is not used as collateral) or encumbrances (eg mortgages)

  • the seller is the legal owner of the vehicle

  • the seller has full right and authority to sell the vehicle

  • the seller will defend the title of the vehicle against any claims and demands potentially made by a third party 

• seller's declaration - the seller confirms certain statements, including that:

  • the seller accepts the amount paid by the buyer for the vehicle

  • the vehicle is not stolen (and hasn’t been stolen in the past)

  • no outstanding finance is owned on the vehicle

  • the vehicle hasn’t been used as a rental vehicle

  • the buyer has fully been made aware of the full details of any accidents the vehicle has been involved in have been

  • all known faults with the vehicle have been fully disclosed and explained to the buyer

  • the vehicle is not an unregistered import

  • the seller has given the buyer all spare keys, service manuals, radio and other codes for the vehicle

  • the vehicle has not been an insurance write-off in categories A, B, C or D

  • the vehicle has not been scrapped

  • the seller has not been linked to any vehicle or other similar deal

• seller's obligations - the seller has certain obligations under the Vehicle Bill of Sale, including that they will transfer the vehicle and associated paperwork (eg MOT certificate) to the buyer on payment ad that they will send the New Keeper registration certificate to the DLVA

• buyer's declaration - the buyer confirms certain statements, including that:

  • all buyer’s details provided to the seller are accurate

  • the buyer is not linked to a vehicle buying or selling network or advertising group

  • the buyer has carried out an HPI or AA check on the vehicle

  • the buyer viewed the car at a property and not a car park or garage

  • the buyer has received the New Keeper Supplement from the V5 certificate 

• buyer's acknowledgements - the buyer accepts certain conditions, including that the vehicle is sold as seen in its current condition and that the vehicle is sold as seen without any warranty from the seller

• payment and ownership - sets out that the price paid by the buyer for the vehicle is the full and final payment for the ownership of the vehicle

• buyer's obligations - in relation to the sale, the buyer agrees and confirms that:

  • they will pay a set amount for the vehicle

  • if a deposit is payable, they will pay the deposit when the Vehicle Bill of Sale is signed and will transfer the balance on the agreed date

  • they must pay for the vehicle in cash or cleared funds

  • they cannot pay for the vehicle through any escrow service, Western Union or money gram unless the seller agrees

• general - includes certain boilerplate clauses and explains the enforceability of the Vehicle Bill of Sale. For example, it explains that the agreement is between the seller and the buyer only and that no other person can enforce claims under it

• ‘sold as seen’ annex - this is where any damages or faults to the vehicle should be listed or attached as a diagram

If you want your Vehicle Bill of Sale to include further or more detailed provisions, you can edit your document. However, you may want a lawyer to review the document (or make changes) for you to ensure that your modified Vehicle Bill of Sale complies with all relevant laws and meets your specific needs. Ask a lawyer for assistance.

Disclose any known faults and damages to the vehicle

As the Vehicle Bill of Sale is a ‘sold as seen’ agreement, you, as the seller, must accurately describe the car in any advertisements and not tell you something about the car which isn’t true. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, not doing this can result in buyers bringing a claim against you. In order to comply with the law, should disclose and fully describe all damages or faults of which you are aware to help protect you against any potential claims. For more information, read Returning a used car.

Make sure to provide the buyer with all relevant documents

In addition to the vehicle being sold, you need to transfer all associated documents to the buyer. Under this Vehicle Bill of Sale, these include:

• a  valid MOT certificate

• a copy of the V5 Registration Certificate confirming the true mileage given with the vehicle

• any other documents needed to enable the buyer to complete the registration, tax and insurance for the vehicle

For more information, see the Government’s guidance.

Make all relevant updates to the DVLA

You will need to inform the DVLA that you have sold the vehicle. Under this Vehicle Bill of Sale, you need to post the New Keeper registration certificate document to the DVLA within 3 working days from the date of the agreement. 

Understand when to seek legal advice

While it’s always a good idea to have your Vehicle Bill of Sale reviewed by a lawyer, there are certain circumstances in which you should seek specific advice. Ask a lawyer for advice:

• if the sale involved international imports or exports

• on car leasing or rental

• if you want to set up a business to sell cars

• on high value and international sales