Bill of Sale
The legal document that records the transfer of a vehicle from seller to buyer, listing the parties, the vehicle, the price, and the terms of the sale.
A bill of sale is the core record of a vehicle transaction. It identifies the buyer and seller, describes the vehicle by VIN, states the purchase price and any taxes or fees, and captures signatures. It supports registration and title transfer and serves as proof that ownership changed hands. Dealers keep an executed copy for compliance and in their deal file.
Related terms
Lien
A legal claim registered against a vehicle by a lender or creditor, which must be cleared before clean title can pass to a buyer.
SalesTrade-in
A vehicle a customer gives the dealer as part of the payment for another car, with its appraised value credited against the new purchase.
VehiclesVIN
The Vehicle Identification Number, a unique 17-character code that identifies a specific vehicle and encodes details like make, model year, and place of manufacture.