As-is sale — California

California Electric Vehicle bill of sale for as-is sale

Complete your California electric vehicle bill of sale for a as-is sale transaction. Enter buyer and seller details, vehicle information, and generate a signed PDF in minutes.

CaliforniaElectric VehicleAs-is sale
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Reviewed against state DMV requirementsLast reviewed: March 20266 min readEditorial policy

What to know about as-is sale sales in California

Include explicit "as-is" language in the bill of sale. Under UCC § 2-316(3)(a), writing "as-is" or "with all faults" in the contract effectively disclaims all implied warranties, including the implied warranty of merchantability under UCC § 2-314. Still disclose known material defects — concealing known defects can constitute fraud even in an as-is sale.

What to include in your bill of sale

  • Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
  • Electric Vehicle make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
  • Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
  • Any as-is sale-specific disclosures required in California.

Seller guidance

Include explicit "as-is" language in the bill of sale. Under UCC § 2-316(3)(a), writing "as-is" or "with all faults" in the contract effectively disclaims all implied warranties, including the implied warranty of merchantability under UCC § 2-314. Still disclose known material defects — concealing known defects can constitute fraud even in an as-is sale.

Buyer guidance

An as-is sale gives you no recourse for undisclosed defects after closing. Order a pre-purchase inspection from a licensed mechanic before agreeing to price. Review any known issue list the seller provides and get it in writing.

California-Specific Note

California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1790 et seq.) limits as-is sales for dealers but allows private parties to sell as-is. The bill of sale must conspicuously state "as-is" and "with all faults." Sellers must still comply with CA Vehicle Code § 11713.1 regarding smog certification — a valid smog check within 90 days is required for most vehicles.

Legal considerations

California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1790 et seq.) limits as-is sales for dealers but allows private parties to sell as-is. The bill of sale must conspicuously state "as-is" and "with all faults." Sellers must still comply with CA Vehicle Code § 11713.1 regarding smog certification — a valid smog check within 90 days is required for most vehicles.

California Legal Requirements

California requires sellers to disclose all known material defects even in an as-is sale. Under California Civil Code § 1710, suppressing a material fact that the seller is bound to disclose constitutes actual fraud. If the seller is a licensed dealer, the implied warranty of fitness cannot be waived for vehicles sold within the first 30 days or 1,000 miles. Private party as-is sales are more enforceable, but fraudulent concealment still voids the as-is clause.

Source: CA Civil Code § 1710; CA Civil Code § 1795.5

Checklist for this transaction

  • 1Include "sold as-is, with all faults" language conspicuously in the bill of sale
  • 2Attach a written list of known defects signed by the seller
  • 3Complete a pre-purchase inspection before finalizing price
  • 4Confirm odometer reading is accurate and document it
  • 5Buyer signs acknowledgment of as-is condition
  • 6Ensure a valid smog certificate exists (required for most vehicles sold in CA)
  • 7Include "as-is, with all faults" conspicuously in the bill of sale

Need the printable workflow?

Use the main California electric vehicle bill of sale flow when you are ready to generate the completed document.

Open California Electric Vehicle bill of sale

Frequently asked questions

When should I use the as-is sale page?

Use this page when your electric vehicle sale in California fits a as-is sale scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.

Why does the as-is sale 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 as-is sale 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 as-is sale transaction.

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