Sample Transaction Details
Below is a fictional example showing what a completed utility trailer bill of sale looks like for Kettering, Ohio:
Vehicle
2019 Utility Trailer
Condition
As-Is, No Warranty
Key Sections Explained
- VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- The unique 17-character code assigned to every motor vehicle. Always verify this matches the title and the plate on the dashboard.
- Odometer Disclosure
- Federal law requires the seller to certify the mileage reading. Tampering with an odometer is a federal crime.
- As-Is Clause
- States the vehicle is sold without warranty. The buyer accepts all risk for future repairs unless otherwise noted.
- Signatures & Date
- Both parties must sign and date the document. Some states require signatures to be witnessed or notarized.
This is a sample only
Replace all names, vehicle details, and prices with your actual transaction information. Use our generator to create a legally compliant document for your real sale.
Financed vehicle — What You Need to Know
The buyer is financing the purchase through a lender. The lender will hold a security interest in the vehicle until the loan is paid in full, and the title will reflect the lienholder.
Seller guidance
If you are selling as a private party offering financing (seller financing), the transaction is governed by the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Regulation Z (12 CFR Part 1026). You must provide the buyer a written disclosure of APR, finance charge, amount financed, total payments, and payment schedule. Failure to comply can expose you to civil liability.
Buyer guidance
When financing through a bank or credit union, your lender will place a lien on the title. You will not receive a clear title until the loan is paid off. Under TILA, you have the right to a written disclosure of all loan terms before signing. Review the APR and total cost of financing carefully.
Legal note (Ohio-specific)
OH requires the lienholder to release the lien before a clean title can be issued. The lienholder signs off on the title or files an electronic release through the BMV. Under ORC § 4505.13, the lender must release the lien within 7 business days of payoff.
Financed vehicle checklist
- Obtain pre-approval letter or lender commitment before finalizing sale price
- Confirm lender's payoff instructions if seller has an existing lien
- Record the new lienholder on the title at the DMV
- Review TILA disclosure for APR, finance charge, and payment schedule
- Retain a copy of the signed bill of sale and loan documents
- Obtain written payoff amount and coordinate payoff with lienholder
- Lienholder releases lien within 7 business days per ORC § 4505.13
- Confirm lien release on BMV e-title record before completing sale
- Submit clear title at county BMV for transfer
Utility Trailer Safety & Recall Information
Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases
Average Safety Rating
0 / 5
Avg. Price Range
$1,000–$10,000
Odometer Disclosure
Not required
Safety checkpoints for utility trailer buyers
- Check tongue weight and coupler size compatibility with tow vehicle
- Inspect all lighting connections and ground wire
- Verify axle rating matches loaded weight capacity needs
- Test surge or electric brakes if GVWR exceeds 3,000 lbs
- Confirm safety chains are correctly cross-routed and properly rated
- Verify breakaway switch and battery on braked trailers
- Inspect tie-down D-rings for weld cracks and rated capacity
- Test ramp-gate spring assists and locking pins
Common recall categories
TiresElectricalAxleCouplingBrakes
On average, each utility trailer model has approximately 1.3 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls before completing a sale.
Ohio Tax & Fee Summary
State Sales Tax Rate
5.75%
5.75% state plus county taxes (total up to 8%)
Sales tax applies to private party vehicle purchases
Visit the official Ohio DMV website
Kettering Financed vehicle utility trailer example — when to file
Ohio requires title transfer within 30 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For financed vehicle transactions specifically, file at BMV Deputy Registrar – Kettering (Visit https://bmv.ohio.gov for the nearest Kettering, OH office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM. Miss the 30-day window and Ohio typically charges a late-transfer penalty plus accrued use tax, and the seller can remain on the title for civil liability until the buyer completes retitling. Bring the signed title, the completed Kettering bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $15.00 title transfer fee plus 7.25% sales tax on the purchase price.
Example reminder. Whether you keep your example as a reference example, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at BMV Deputy Registrar – Kettering; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.