Lansing, Michigan Trailer Bill of Sale

What to include

• Buyer and seller names and addresses
• Trailer VIN and vehicle details
• Sale price and date
• Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Trailer title transfer deadline in Michigan

Michigan gives the buyer 15 days from the sale date on the bill of sale to complete the trailer title transfer at the MI Secretary of State – Lansing South Office in Lansing. Miss the 15-day window and Michigan charges a late-transfer penalty of typically $25-50 plus accrued use tax, and the seller can still appear on the title for civil liability if the buyer crashes the vehicle before retitling. Keep your signed bill of sale and the assigned title together and file as soon as you can, even if registration plates will be transferred later.

VIN inspection. Out-of-state vehicles must have a VIN inspection by a Michigan Secretary of State office before a Michigan title is issued.

File at the MI Secretary of State – Lansing South Office (6020 S Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, MI 48911). Bring the signed title, the completed Lansing bill of sale, your ID, and payment for the $15.00 title transfer fee plus 6.00% sales tax on the purchase price.

Trailer mechanical pre-purchase checklist for Lansing buyers

Before you sign the Lansing bill of sale, walk through this inspection on thetrailer. A pre-purchase inspection costs $100-200 and routinely uncovers $1,000+ in deferred maintenance — that is the figure you negotiate off the price or walk away from entirely. Use this list as your shortlist when you meet the seller or when a local mechanic looks the vehicle over.

Common mechanical issues to inspect

• Pull a wheel and inspect bearings for pitting and dry packing
• Check tire DOT codes — trailer tires age-fail before they wear out
• Verify deck/floor boards are not rotted or split (especially on wood-deck trailers)
• Test brake magnets with a multimeter — should read 3.2 ohms per assembly
• Inspect frame welds for cracks at hitch and axle mounting points
• Verify spring shackles and equalizer bushings are not worn or seized

Safety checkpoints

• Inspect hitch coupler and safety chains for wear and proper rating
• Check all lighting connections — trailer lights are the #1 reason for roadside stops
• Verify axle alignment and tire wear patterns
• Test electric or surge brakes if equipped
• Confirm breakaway switch and battery function on braked trailers
• Verify VIN/serial plate is intact and matches title

Title documentation notes. Trailer titling rules vary widely by state and weight: trailers under 2,000–3,000 lbs are often title-exempt and transfer with a bill of sale only, while trailers above the state threshold require a standard certificate of title with the trailer’s VIN/serial number. Homemade or untitled trailers usually require a state inspection and an assigned VIN before first registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to any non-self-propelled trailer.