When buying or selling a big-ticket item, such as a motor vehicle, it’s vital to have official documentation detailing the transaction. For car, truck, or motorcycle transactions, buyers and sellers can use a bill of sale form to document the purchase. Having a bill of sale may be a requirement in some states when a private party sells a car or motorcycle. Even if it’s not required by state law, it’s recommended to have a bill of sale when transferring ownership of a vehicle. This document can be beneficial to both the buyer and the seller of the car or motorcycle.
For a motorcycle, the bill of sale should detail information about the vehicle, such as the year, make and model. There should be a detailed description of the condition of the motorcycle, including whether or not the sale is “as is.” Private vehicle sales should also indicate whether or not there is a warranty on the motorcycle after purchase, and if so, how long the warranty is active. A bill of sale also includes information about the transaction, such as the purchase price of the motorcycle, how payments will be made if applicable and the location of the sale. In Maryland, West Virginia, Louisiana, Montana and Nebraska a motorcycle bill of sale must also be notarized.