Sample Transaction Details
Below is a fictional example showing what a completed utility trailer bill of sale looks like for Pullman, Washington:
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.
Bill of sale only — What You Need to Know
No title is being transferred at the time of sale. This occurs for very old vehicles never previously titled, junk/scrap vehicles, or in states that allow bill of sale as proof of ownership for certain vehicle classes.
Seller guidance
If you are selling a vehicle that was never titled (common for pre-1975 vehicles in some states), a bill of sale is the primary ownership document. The buyer must present the bill of sale to the DMV to apply for an original title. Ensure the bill of sale contains full VIN, make, model, year, and both party signatures with dates.
Buyer guidance
A bill of sale alone does not guarantee you can register the vehicle. Check with your state DMV to confirm the process for obtaining an original title using a bill of sale. You may need a VIN inspection, a surety bond, or a court order depending on the vehicle's history and your state's rules.
Legal note
Vehicles manufactured before 1975 were not required to be federally titled, and some never entered a state title system. States have varying procedures for issuing an original title for un-titled vehicles (e.g., California: Reg 343 form; Texas: Form VTR-141). The NMVTIS may not have records for older un-titled vehicles, so ownership chain documentation is critical.
Bill of sale only checklist
- Document the full ownership chain (prior bills of sale if available)
- Include complete vehicle description: VIN, year, make, model, color, engine number
- Both parties sign and date the bill of sale in front of a notary if possible
- Research your state's original title application process for un-titled vehicles
- Request a VIN inspection from law enforcement or a licensed inspector
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.
Pullman Bill of sale only utility trailer example — when to file
Washington requires title transfer within 15 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For bill of sale only transactions specifically, file at DOL Vehicle Licensing – Pullman (Visit https://www.dol.wa.gov for the nearest Pullman, WA office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. Miss the 15-day window and Washington 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 Pullman bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $12.00 title transfer fee plus 8.00% 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 DOL Vehicle Licensing – Pullman; the seller keeps a duplicate to prove the date of transfer if a future liability question arises before the title fully retitles.