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Car sale agreement template: free in Word, or sign it online

Reviewed in October 2026

A car sale agreement is a contract between a private seller and a buyer that sets the terms before the car changes hands. It covers the price, any deposit or payments, the inspection, the handover date and who keeps the title until paid. The bill of sale comes after, at handover.

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Ten documents free, no card. Signed by the seller and the buyer.

Car sale agreement example, filled in with sample data
Example filled in with sample data

The full car sale agreement

VEHICLE SALE AGREEMENT

This Vehicle Sale Agreement (the "Agreement") is made on [date] between [Seller name], of [address] (the "Seller"), and [Buyer name], of [address] (the "Buyer").

1. Vehicle

Year: [year] · Make: [make] · Model: [model] · Color: [color] · VIN: [number] · Odometer: [miles] · Title number: [number].

2. Price

The total price is [amount] USD.

3. Deposit

The Buyer pays a deposit of [amount] on signing. The deposit is credited to the price. If the Buyer does not complete the purchase by the handover date for a reason other than the Seller’s breach, the Seller may keep the deposit. If the Seller does not complete the sale, the Seller returns the deposit within [3] days.

4. Payment of the balance

[Option A: The Buyer pays the balance of amount at handover by method.] [Option B: The Buyer pays the balance in number monthly payments of amount, due on the day of each month starting on date. Late payments over days incur a fee of amount.]

5. Inspection

The Buyer may have the vehicle inspected by a mechanic of their choice before [date], at the Buyer’s cost. If the inspection finds a major defect not disclosed by the Seller, the Buyer may cancel and recover the deposit.

6. Handover

The Seller delivers the vehicle, keys and documents at [place] on [date]. Until handover, the Seller keeps the vehicle insured and in its current condition.

7. Title

[Option A: The Seller signs over the title at handover.] [Option B, payment plan: The Seller keeps the title until the last payment, then signs it over within 5 days. The Buyer may use the vehicle from handover and must insure it with the Seller named as loss payee.]

8. Condition

Apart from clause 5, the vehicle is sold "AS IS". The Seller has disclosed these known issues: [none / list].

9. Default

If the Buyer misses a payment by more than [30] days and does not cure within [10] days after written notice, the Seller may demand the full balance or take back the vehicle as allowed by law.

10. General terms

This Agreement is governed by the laws of [state]. At handover the parties will also sign a bill of sale. The parties agree to sign electronically, with the same effect as handwritten signatures.

SELLER

Signature: ______________________

Name: [full name]

Date: [date]

BUYER

Signature: ______________________

Name: [full name]

Date: [date]

What the template includes

  • Vehicle details with VIN and mileage
  • Total price
  • Deposit and what happens to it if either side backs out
  • Balance at handover or a payment plan with late fees
  • Inspection by the buyer’s mechanic
  • Handover date, place and the seller’s duty until then
  • Title at handover or after the last payment
  • As-is condition with disclosed issues
  • Default under a payment plan

What you fill in

FieldExample
DateOctober 21, 2026
SellerLinda Park, San Antonio, TX
BuyerVictor Alvarez, San Antonio, TX
Vehicle2017 Toyota Tacoma SR5, VIN 3TMAZ5CN1HM012345
Price22,000 USD
Deposit2,000 USD on signing
Balance10 monthly payments of 2,000 USD
TitleKept by seller until the last payment

How it gets signed

  1. 1Choose “Use this template”, fill in the fields and read the full car sale agreement once more.
  2. 2Send it by WhatsApp or email. The other party opens the link on their phone without an account.
  3. 3They tap the brown bar at the bottom that says “Sign as …” and draw their signature with a finger.
  4. 4Everyone gets the signed PDF with its signature certificate. Anyone can check it at signsolu.com/verificar.

Before signing, each signer agrees to sign electronically. The screen links to the electronic signature disclosure the ESIGN Act asks for.

The bill of sale can be signed online. The certificate of title is a separate state document. If your state still uses a paper title, the seller signs it by hand and hands it to the buyer.

Your first ten documents are free and need no card.

Some offices only take their own PDF form. Fill out a PDF form online for free, with nothing uploaded.

What the law says

A private car sale agreement is a contract under state law. When the buyer pays over time, the seller is extending credit. Keep interest within your state’s limits, and remember that taking back a vehicle must follow state law.

The federal odometer rule applies when ownership passes. Write the mileage in clause 1 and on the title at transfer.

The ESIGN Act gives electronic signatures the same effect as ink. The agreement and the later bill of sale can both be signed online.

Sale agreement or bill of sale

The sale agreement sets the terms before the car changes hands. It fits deposits, inspections, later handovers and payment plans. The car bill of sale records the transfer on handover day.

For a same-day cash sale, the bill of sale alone is often enough.

Selling a car on payments

  • Keep the title until the last payment, as option B of clause 7 says.
  • Ask the buyer to insure the car with you named as loss payee.
  • Set a clear late fee and a cure period.
  • Record every payment and give a receipt.

Payment plans carry risk for the seller. A larger deposit and a short plan reduce it.

A worked example

Linda sells her Tacoma to Victor for 22,000 USD. He pays 2,000 USD on signing and 2,000 USD a month for ten months.

His mechanic inspects the truck within the week and finds nothing new. Victor takes the truck and insures it. After the tenth payment Linda signs over the title and they sign the bill of sale.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Handing over the title before payment. The seller loses its security.
  • No inspection window. Disputes about defects follow.
  • Unclear deposit rules. Clause 3 says who keeps it and when.

What changes from state to state

  • Notarization. A few states ask for a notarized bill of sale or title signature.
  • State forms. Some motor vehicle agencies have their own bill of sale form and prefer it.
  • Plates. In many states plates stay with the seller. In others they go with the vehicle.
  • Release of liability. Many states let the seller report the sale online within a few days.
  • Inspections. Emissions or safety checks may be needed before the buyer can register.
  • Sales tax. The buyer pays it at registration in most states, based on the price or a book value.

Check your state motor vehicle agency before the sale. The bill of sale stays the same, only the steps around it change.

Signing both documents

Sign this agreement when you agree the deal. Sign the bill of sale at handover or after the last payment. Both can be signed online from your phones, and each lands in your account with its certificate.

Checklist before signing

  1. 1The VIN matches the title.
  2. 2The deposit and balance add up to the price.
  3. 3The inspection date is before the handover date.
  4. 4The payment plan dates are clear.

Before you sign

Other templates

Frequently asked questions

Is a car sale agreement signed online legally binding?

Yes. The ESIGN Act gives an electronic signature the same legal effect as a handwritten one. The signed PDF and its certificate show who signed the car sale agreement, when and from which device.

Does the buyer need a SignSolú account to sign?

No. They open the link on their phone and sign with the brown bar at the bottom of the screen.

Can I download the car sale agreement in Word?

Yes. “Download in Word” gives you the full car sale agreement with no email and no account. You can print it or edit it and sign it here later.

Can I sell a car with monthly payments?

Yes. Choose option B in clauses 4 and 7 and keep the title until the last payment.

Is the deposit refundable?

Under clause 3, yes if the seller backs out or the inspection finds an undisclosed major defect. Otherwise the seller may keep it.

Do I still need a bill of sale?

Yes. Sign one at handover or at the last payment. Many DMVs ask for it with the title.

Can I charge interest on a payment plan?

You can, within your state’s limits. Write the rate in clause 4, or keep the plan without interest.

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