When should I use the salvage title page?
Use this page when your car sale in Texas fits a salvage title scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Salvage title — Texas
Texas Car bill of sale for salvage title
Complete your Texas car bill of sale for a salvage title transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.
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What to know about salvage title sales in Texas
You must disclose the salvage title status in writing. The bill of sale should state "salvage title" prominently. Some states require a separate salvage disclosure form. Do not represent a salvage vehicle as a rebuilt title unless it has passed the required state inspection and been formally re-branded.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Car make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any salvage title-specific disclosures required in Texas.
Seller guidance
You must disclose the salvage title status in writing. The bill of sale should state "salvage title" prominently. Some states require a separate salvage disclosure form. Do not represent a salvage vehicle as a rebuilt title unless it has passed the required state inspection and been formally re-branded.
Buyer guidance
A salvage title vehicle cannot be registered for road use in any state until it passes a state-mandated rebuilt inspection. Lenders rarely finance salvage title vehicles, and insuring them for full value is difficult. Even after a salvage vehicle is re-branded as "rebuilt," it will always carry diminished resale value.
Texas-Specific Note
Texas issues salvage vehicle titles through the TxDMV. To rebuild and retitle, the vehicle must pass a salvage vehicle inspection by the TxDMV. Submit VTR-61 (Rebuilt Salvage Motor Vehicle Inspection Report). An anti-theft inspection by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is also required. The rebuilt title will carry a "rebuilt salvage" brand.
Legal considerations
Texas issues salvage vehicle titles through the TxDMV. To rebuild and retitle, the vehicle must pass a salvage vehicle inspection by the TxDMV. Submit VTR-61 (Rebuilt Salvage Motor Vehicle Inspection Report). An anti-theft inspection by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is also required. The rebuilt title will carry a "rebuilt salvage" brand.
Texas Car transfer fees and requirements
In Texas, the title transfer fee is $33 and registration costs $50.75 per year. Car sales are subject to 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price. Texas does not require notarization for private-party car transfers. Emission testing is required in Texas — verify the car passes before completing the sale.
- Annual safety inspection required; emissions testing in select counties
- Title transfer within 30 days at county tax office
- Form 130-U required for title transfer
- Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) used for tax assessment on private sales
Texas sales tax on car purchases
Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Flat 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax statewide. Private-party car sales in Texas are subject to sales tax. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher. The title transfer fee is $33.
Car market data and safety information
The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used car
Before completing a car bill of sale in Texas, verify these safety items:
- 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
Car insurance and depreciation in Texas
Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.
Car registration and titling
Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.
Safety tips for salvage title car transactions
When completing a salvage title car sale in Texas, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common car recall categories are Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for salvage title car sale in Texas
- Confirm the title is branded "salvage" and the brand is disclosed on the bill of sale
- Run a NMVTIS or CARFAX report to verify complete title history
- Disclose all known damage, repairs, and any prior insurance total-loss declarations
- Confirm the vehicle cannot be legally driven until rebuilt inspection is complete
- Check insurance availability before purchase — many carriers restrict salvage vehicle coverage
- Complete VTR-61 (Rebuilt Salvage Motor Vehicle Inspection Report)
- Pass anti-theft inspection by NICB
- Apply for rebuilt title at the county tax office
Need the printable workflow?
Use the main Texas car bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.
Open Texas Car bill of saleWhy Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price
45% faster sale
Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.
Source: Experian / AutoCheck
$4,000 avg loss
NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.
Source: NHTSA
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
1 in 3 buyers
Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.
Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)
Frequently asked questions
Why does the salvage title scenario have its own page?
Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a salvage title transaction specifically.
What should be included in this bill of sale?
Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the salvage title transaction.
What are the Texas fees for a salvage title car transfer?
Texas charges a $33 title transfer fee. Registration costs $50.75 per year. Sales tax: 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price. Notarization is not required for most transfers.
What car makes are most commonly sold in Texas?
The most popular car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$25,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a salvage title car sale in Texas?
Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Tax based on Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) or purchase price, whichever is higher
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