Below is a fictional example showing what a completed car bill of sale looks like for Sequim, Washington:
Seller
Jane Sequim
Buyer
Michael Sequim
Vehicle
2019 Car
VIN
1HGBH41JXMN109186
Mileage
45,230 miles
Sale Price
$12,500.00
Date
April 8, 2026
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.
Rebuilt title — What You Need to Know
The vehicle was previously a salvage title but has been repaired and passed a state inspection, allowing it to be re-branded as "rebuilt" and registered for road use.
Seller guidance
Disclose the rebuilt title status clearly in the bill of sale. Provide the buyer with copies of the state inspection certificate that authorized the re-branding from salvage to rebuilt. If you performed the repairs yourself, document the parts used and work done. A rebuilt title affects resale value and insurability permanently.
Buyer guidance
A rebuilt title vehicle may look and run fine, but it will always carry the rebuilt brand. Before purchasing, inspect the vehicle thoroughly or have an independent mechanic perform a post-repair inspection. Request copies of repair receipts and the state inspection certificate. Verify the vehicle is insurable at acceptable rates before paying.
Legal note
Rebuilt title inspection requirements vary by state. Most require a physical inspection by a licensed inspector or law enforcement to verify the VIN, confirm repairs, and ensure roadworthiness. Inspectors typically check that no stolen parts were used. The rebuilt brand is permanent on the title history — it cannot be upgraded to a clean title. Federal law prohibits misrepresenting a rebuilt vehicle as having a clean title (49 U.S.C. § 32705).
Rebuilt title checklist
Confirm the title is branded "rebuilt" (or equivalent in your state)
Obtain copies of the state rebuilt inspection certificate and repair records
Disclose the prior salvage history and the nature of the original damage
Verify the vehicle is registered and insurable in the buyer's state
Conduct an independent mechanical inspection focused on prior damage areas
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 rebuilt title bill of sale in Sequim, 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 rebuilt title sale price.
Sequim Rebuilt title car example — when to file
Washington requires title transfer within 15 days of the sale date on the bill of sale. For rebuilt title transactions specifically, file at Washington DMV – Sequim (Visit https://www.dol.wa.gov to find the nearest Sequim office) during normal hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM (verify hours with local office). 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 Sequim bill of sale, your government-issued ID, and payment for the $12.00 title transfer fee plus 6.5% 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 Washington DMV – Sequim; 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 rebuilt title documents do I need for a car sale in Sequim, Washington?
For a rebuilt title car transaction in Sequim, you need: Confirm the title is branded "rebuilt" (or equivalent in your state); Obtain copies of the state rebuilt inspection certificate and repair records; Disclose the prior salvage history and the nature of the original damage; Verify the vehicle is registered and insurable in the buyer's state; Conduct an independent mechanical inspection focused on prior damage areas.
What is the sales tax on a car private sale in Sequim, Washington?
The Washington state sales tax rate is 6.5%. 6.5% state plus local taxes (total up to ~10.4%). Use tax applies to private party vehicle purchases
Do I need to notarize a car bill of sale in Washington?
Check with your local Washington 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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