This blank car bill of sale template for Texas contains the following sections:
Seller Info
Name, address, phone, email
Buyer Info
Name, address, phone, email
Vehicle Details
Year, make, model, color, body
VIN & Odometer
17-digit VIN, current mileage
Sale Terms
Price, payment method, date
Disclosures
As-is status, known defects
Signatures
Buyer/seller lines with date
Notarization
Notary block if state requires
How to Fill Out This Template
1Print the blank template on US Letter paper
2Enter the car details exactly as they appear on the title
3Record the odometer reading at the time of sale
4Agree on the sale price and fill in the payment terms
5Both parties sign and date in the presence of each other
6File the completed form with your local Texas DMV within the required timeframe
Tip: Our online generator pre-fills Texas-specific requirements so you don’t miss any required fields.
Auction sale — What You Need to Know
The vehicle is purchased through a public or private auction. Auction sales are typically as-is with no warranty, and the buyer may not receive the physical title on the day of purchase. The auction house or seller provides a bill of sale as proof of purchase pending title delivery.
Seller guidance
Auction sellers must disclose known material defects and any title issues before bidding opens. If the vehicle has a salvage, rebuilt, or branded title, this must be disclosed prominently in the auction listing. Reserve the right to require a deposit or full payment before releasing the vehicle. Provide the buyer a signed bill of sale and a copy of the title (or title assignment) once payment clears.
Buyer guidance
Auction vehicles are sold as-is — inspect thoroughly before bidding if possible. Verify the title is present and free of liens before the auction closes. If the title will be delivered after the sale, ensure the bill of sale documents the VIN, purchase price, and the seller's agreement to transfer clear title. Do not pay registration or sales tax until you have confirmed title delivery.
Legal note
Auction sales are governed by UCC Article 2 (§ 2-328 — sale by auction) and applicable state motor vehicle transfer laws. Under UCC § 2-328(3), each lot is a separate sale. An "as-is" disclaimer under UCC § 2-316 is effective in auction sales. Many states require the auction house to be a licensed dealer (e.g., California Business and Professions Code § 11700). Title branding laws require disclosure of salvage, flood, or lemon law buyback status.
Auction sale checklist
Verify the vehicle title is present, clean, and matches the VIN before bidding
Confirm any title branding (salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon) is disclosed in the listing
Inspect the vehicle in person or hire a third-party inspector before the auction
Obtain a signed bill of sale from the auction house or seller on the day of purchase
Confirm the title delivery timeline in writing if the title is not available same-day
Pay applicable sales tax and registration fees within your state deadline
Car Safety & Recall Information
Data sourced from NHTSA safety ratings and recall databases
Average Safety Rating
4.2 / 5
Avg. Price Range
$5,000–$25,000
Odometer Disclosure
Required
Safety checkpoints for car buyers
Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching
Verify ABS warning light cycles off after ignition self-test
Confirm child-seat LATCH anchor accessibility and integrity
Test headlight aim and high-beam function on both low and high settings
Inspect windshield for cracks in the driver sight line that could fail state inspection
Before signing your auction sale bill of sale in Franklin, run a NHTSA recall check on the specific year and model. Recent-model cars with the most open recalls:
Model + year
NHTSA recalls
Top categories
2019 Volkswagen Jetta
11
Electrical System, Suspension, Unknown Or Other
2024 Ford Mustang
10
Service Brakes, Fuel System, Electrical System
2022 Ford Mustang
9
Electrical System, Steering, Air Bags
2020 Ford Mustang
8
Back Over Prevention, Power Train, Forward Collision Avoidance
2019 Nissan Altima
7
Fuel System, Back Over Prevention, Tires
Run a NHTSA VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls before purchase — open recalls are the seller’s responsibility to disclose under federal law, and unresolved campaigns are a routine negotiating point on the auction sale sale price.
Franklin Auction sale car template — when to file
Texas requires title transfer within 30 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For auction sale transactions specifically, file at Texas TxDMV – Franklin (Visit https://www.txdmv.gov to find the nearest Franklin office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (verify hours with local office). Texas TX does not require a notarized bill of sale; however, Form 14-317 (Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer) must be notarized. Miss the 30-day window and Texas 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 Franklin bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $33.00 title transfer fee plus 6.25% sales tax on the purchase price.
Template reminder. Whether you keep your template as a blank template you fill in by hand, both buyer and seller should leave the signing with an identical executed copy. The buyer needs the original to present at Texas TxDMV – Franklin; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.
Frequently asked questions
What auction sale documents do I need for a car sale in Franklin, Texas?
For a auction sale car transaction in Franklin, you need: Verify the vehicle title is present, clean, and matches the VIN before bidding; Confirm any title branding (salvage, rebuilt, flood, lemon) is disclosed in the listing; Inspect the vehicle in person or hire a third-party inspector before the auction; Obtain a signed bill of sale from the auction house or seller on the day of purchase; Confirm the title delivery timeline in writing if the title is not available same-day; Pay applicable sales tax and registration fees within your state deadline.
What is the sales tax on a car private sale in Franklin, Texas?
The Texas state sales tax rate is 6.25%. Flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher
Do I need to notarize a car bill of sale in Texas?
Check with your local Texas DMV office for notarization requirements. Requirements can vary by county.
What are common recalls for a car?
Common recall categories for cars include: Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System, Electrical, Steering. On average, each car model has approximately 3.1 recalls. Always check your specific vehicle at NHTSA.gov before completing a sale.
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