Vehicle Bill of Sale
Selling a Car “As Is”? Here’s What the Bill of Sale Needs
“As is” is the phrase that protects a private seller from a buyer coming back later over the vehicle’s condition — but only if the document is written correctly and you’ve been honest about what you know.
What “as is” actually means
“As is” means the buyer accepts the vehicle in its current condition, with no promises from the seller about how well it runs, what repairs it might need, or how long it will last. It shifts the risk of unknown problems to the buyer — which is exactly why private sellers use it. What it doesn’t do is excuse a seller who knew about a real problem and didn’t say so.
What the document needs to include
- • Full name and address of both the seller and the buyer
- • Vehicle description — year, make, model, VIN, and current mileage
- • Sale price and the date of sale
- • Clear “as is, with no warranties expressed or implied” language
- • An odometer disclosure statement (required in most states)
- • Signatures from both parties
“As is” doesn’t override state requirements
Some states require the bill of sale itself to be notarized, or have their own official form for vehicle sales. “As is” language is about the vehicle’s condition — it doesn’t replace whatever your state separately requires to make the sale valid. Check your state’s specific requirements →
Common Questions
As-Is Bill of Sale FAQ
- No. 'As is' language protects you from claims about the vehicle's condition — that it broke down, needed repairs, or wasn't what the buyer expected. It doesn't protect you if you knowingly hid a serious defect, misrepresented the vehicle (a rolled-back odometer, a salvage title you didn't disclose), or if your state requires specific disclosures you skipped.
Get your as-is bill of sale
Generate one free in minutes, with the “as is” language already built in — or have one drafted to match your specific sale.
This is general information, not legal advice for your specific sale. State requirements vary and are subject to change — confirm what applies to your sale before relying on any template.