What Should a California Car Bill of Sale Include?

A bill of sale should leave no doubt about who is selling, who is buying, which vehicle is involved and under what terms. Done right, it protects both parties if any question comes up later.

Buyer and seller information

• Full legal names of both parties.
• Addresses (street, city, state, ZIP).
• Phone numbers and email addresses for contact.

Vehicle description

• Year, make, model and trim.
• VIN (17 characters).
• License plate number.
• Body type and color.
• Title number, if available.

Sale terms

• Sale price (in USD).
• Payment method: cash, cashier's check, bank transfer, money order, etc.
• Sale date.
• Delivery date and location, if different from the sale date.
• Any deposit paid and balance due.

Odometer information

• Odometer reading (in miles or kilometers).
• Date of the reading.
• Odometer status: actual mileage, not actual mileage, exceeds mechanical limits, or unknown / discrepancy.

As-is or warranty terms

An "as-is" clause documents that the buyer is accepting the vehicle in its current condition with no written warranty from the seller, unless something is explicitly written into the agreement. If you are offering a limited warranty, write the specific terms in the document.

Known defects

Listing known damage, mechanical issues or wear avoids disputes later. Keep it factual — the goal is shared documentation, not a sales pitch.

Signatures

• Buyer signature and printed name.
• Seller signature and printed name.
• Date next to each signature.

Attachments and exhibits

• Title photo (front and back).
• Odometer photo at the sale moment.
• VIN plate photo.
• Exterior and interior condition photos.
• Photos of any damage disclosed in writing.
• Payment receipt or transfer confirmation.