Fillable Form Massachusetts Vehicle or Automobile Bill of Sale (Sold with Warranty)

What is a Massachusetts Vehicle Bill of Sale?

A Massachusetts Vehicle Bill of Sale is a document that records the details of a transaction between a buyer and a seller for the sale of motor vehicles. It acts as a receipt for the buyer and proof of ownership for the seller. The bill of sale for automobile Massachusetts should include all relevant information about the vehicle being sold, as well as details about the buyer, the seller, and often the terms of the sale, such as the purchase price, payment details, warranty information, and odometer reading. In some states, the bill of sale must also be notarized.

It's important to have two copies of the bill of sale, for both the buyer and the seller. The buyer should keep the bill of sale for their records, and the seller should retain it as proof of the transfer of ownership. Depending on the state, the bill of sale might also be used to transfer ownership of the vehicle to the new owner, eliminating the need for a Title Transfer Form from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

A Massachusetts boat bill of sale, while similar, is not necessarily the same as a Massachusetts bill of sale for vehicles. There are also many other forms of bills of sale, such as a Massachusetts firearm bill of sale or a Massachusetts general bill. Any boat owner or financial manager should keep all of these different forms in mind and use them in the correct contexts. This is particularly important for a bill of sale and even other sale forms, which can easily be used as a legal document depending on the circumstance.

How do I fill out a Massachusetts Vehicle Bill of Sale?

A fillable template for a Massachusetts Vehicle Bill of Sale can be found here.

Seller

Enter the name, city of residence, and county of the seller.

Promissory Installment Note and Down Payment

Enter the amount paid for the promissory installment note and the down payment in the spaces provided.

Buyer

Enter the name, city of residence, and county of the buyer.

Vehicle Location

Enter the county in which the vehicle is located.

Vehicle Details

Enter the following details about the vehicle:

• Make
• Model
• Body Type
• Year
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Warranty

This section contains information about the warranty/ies associated with this transaction.

Inspection

Mark the relevant space to indicate whether or not the vehicle has been inspected by an independent and licensed mechanic, and if a copy of the inspection report is or is not attached and is incorporated as part of this bill of sale.

Defects

List any defects the vehicle may have.

Additional Terms

Enter any additional terms of sale.

Signatures

Have the seller and the buyer sign the form and enter their names in the spaces provided.

County - Notary

Enter the county in which this form is being notarized.

Date Sworn

Enter the date that the form was sworn before the notary.

Notary Public

Enter the name of the notary, and have them stamp or sign the form in the space provided. Then enter the date that the notary’s commission expires.

Odometer Disclosure Statement

Name of Seller

Enter the name of the seller.

Odometer Reading

Enter the odometer reading of the vehicle. Then mark the line that indicates whether or not the odometer reading is the actual mileage of the vehicle.

Odometer Discrepancy

Enter the following details about the vehicle, if there are any discrepancies between them and the odometer:

• Make
• Model
• Body Type
• Year
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Buyer and Seller’s Details

Enter the following details about the buyer and the seller in the spaces provided:

• Full Name
• Address
• City
• State
• ZIP Code
• Signature

Acknowledgment

County

Enter the county that this form is being acknowledged in.

Date Sworn

Enter the date that the form was sworn and subscribed before the notary.

Notary Public

Enter the name of the notary, and have them stamp or sign the form in the space provided. Then enter the date that the notary’s commission expires.

Promissory Installment Note

County

Enter the county that this note is being made in.

Recitations

Enter the following information for the recitations:

• Date
• Borrower/Buyer’s Name
• Borrower/Buyer’s Address
• Payee/Seller’s Name
• Place for Payment
• Principal Amount
• Term
• Monthly Payments

Vehicle Details

Enter the following details about the vehicle:

• Make
• Model
• Body Type
• Year
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Transfer of Title

Mark the relevant line to indicate if the title to the vehicle will be retained by the seller, or if it will be transferred to the buyer. If the title will be transferred to the buyer, the security agreement form must be signed by the buyer.

Interest Rate

Mark the relevant line to indicate if the annual interest rate will be the maximum amount permitted by the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, or if it will be set at a particular rate and will not be accrued on matured and unpaid amounts. If the latter is marked, enter the specific rate of interest.

Payment Terms

Enter the amount in equal monthly payments that must be made, as well as the principal amount that must be paid. Then enter the month and year that the first payment will be due.

Borrower’s Prepayment Right

This section contains details on the borrower's right to prepay this note in whole or in part.

Place for Payment

This section states that the borrower promises to pay the order of the payee at the designated place for payment and according to the terms for payment.

Default and Acceleration Clause

This section contains details on the default and acceleration clauses of the agreement.

Interest on Past Due Installments and Charges

This section contains details on all past due installments and charges.

Interest

This section contains details on the interest that will be applied to this form.

Form of Payment

This section provides details on the acceptable forms of payment.

Attorney’s Fees

This section states that in the event that this note is given to the military or law enforcement, the borrower will be the one to pay for all costs of collection and investment.

Severability

This section states that if any part of this agreement becomes unenforceable or invalid, it will not affect the validity of any other part of this agreement.

Binding Effect

This section states that this agreement will be binding for all parties involved as well as their heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.

Descriptive Headings

This section states that the headings used in this form are for convenience of reference only.

Construction

This section states that all pronouns used in this form will include either or both genders, singular or plural.

Governing Law

This section states that this form will be governed by the state of Massachusetts.

Execution

Enter the date that this form was executed.

Signatures

Have the payee/seller and the borrower/buyer sign the form in the spaces provided and enter their names.

Buyer and Seller Details

Enter the following details about the buyer and the seller in the spaces provided:

• Full Name
• Address
• City
• State
• ZIP Code
• Signature

Security Agreement

Date and Names of Parties Involved

Enter the date that this security agreement was made, then enter the name of the debtor and the secured party.

Security Interest

Enter the following details about the vehicle that the security interest will be applied to:

• Make
• Model
• Body Type
• Year
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Covenants

This section states that the debtor will retain and maintain insurance at all times with respect to all collateral damage.

Default

This section contains details on what would cause a bill to be considered to be in default.

Debtor’s Name and Signature

Enter the name and signature of the debtor in the spaces provided. Then enter the date that the form was signed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between a Vehicle Bill of Sale and a Vehicle Title?

A bill of sale certifies a transfer of ownership between two parties, while a title certifies the buyer's legal ownership. Depending on the state, a Vehicle Bill of Sale may be all a person needs to transfer ownership - the title - of a vehicle to another, though depending on the seller this may involve paying additional registration fees or taking any other agreements between private parties into account.

What is Notarization?

Notarization is a legal process that involves a Notary witnessing the signing of a document in order to ensure its authenticity and to prevent coercion or fraud.

How do I get a Vehicle Bill of Sale notarized?

Contact your local notary public or directly contact a notary, and set an appointment. This will often require that you and the other party both provide a valid ID to certify your identity. After the document has been signed in the presence of the notary, the notary should then affix their stamp on the document to signify that it has been notarized.

What do I do if I lose my copy of the Vehicle Bill of Sale?

You may ask the buyer/seller for a copy of the bill of sale, or print another copy out if you have access to a digital copy of the document. It is important to keep backup copies (digital or physical) of the document, as it can be used for many different purposes beyond certifying ownership and sale.

What other uses does the Vehicle Bill of Sale have?

The Vehicle Bill of Sale can be used for legal purposes, such as when particular transactions are called for investigation or to record a transfer of ownership from one person to another, or for the purpose of filling out information on one’s tax return.

Is a Vehicle Bill of Sale considered legally binding?

Yes. Under Massachusetts law, for as long as both parties sign the form, and especially if the form is notarized, all of the terms and conditions, as well as the price set for the vehicle, must be followed unless both parties agree to renegotiate and draft a new agreement. Any false statement or failure to adhere to the terms of the Sale form will be met with consequences appropriate or corresponding to what is indicated in the document.

When do I need to have filed a Vehicle Bill of Sale?

Whenever a transaction is agreed upon, it is generally the seller’s responsibility to provide a Vehicle Bill of Sale (or several copies of one) for both buyer and seller to sign.

What if I am selling multiple vehicles?

You may include any additional vehicles’ information on a separate sheet of paper as necessary, or create another Vehicle Bill of Sale should the other vehicle be for a different transaction or require too much information to simply add on to another document.

What is a warranty?

A warranty is a written guarantee that the manufacturer of a product will repair or replace said product in the event that it is damaged or lost within a particular period of time.

Do Vehicle Bills of Sale come with a warranty?

Not always. In the case of a person buying a vehicle directly from the manufacturer or an affiliate of theirs, there will often be a warranty attached to the vehicle. However, when buying a vehicle from an individual private seller (i.e. buying their personal property) or a car dealership, vehicles are not guaranteed to still have a warranty attached, especially if the vehicle is second-hand. Warranty details, if any, should be included as part of the information on the vehicle entered on the Vehicle Bill of Sale.

What if I am buying or selling the vehicle on behalf of another person that provided the funds?

If you are acting as a representative of the buyer or seller, enter your name instead of theirs and sign the form in the relevant places. Make sure, however, to provide clear evidence that the buyer or seller has authorized you to manage the transaction in their stead. In some states, this may also require you to have the necessary licenses to sell vehicles or other products whenever relevant.

Is a Vehicle Bill of Sale required to register a vehicle?

A Vehicle Bill of Sale document is always required along with proof of ownership (which may be the bill of sale itself, depending on the state) to process a new vehicle registration. Vehicles that are exempt from emissions testing will require a Vehicle Identification Number verification.

What if there is no Vehicle Bill of Sale?

Not having a bill of sale will leave both buyer and seller vulnerable to a wide variety of issues, such as deciding who is liable for damages to or caused by the vehicle, or legal disputes on the vehicle’s ownership. If any record at all exists that can be used to help recreate the payment arrangement, it can be used in place of a proper bill of sale to provide proof of ownership.

Do I still need a Vehicle Bill of Sale if I give a vehicle as a gift?

Yes. Simply note that the vehicle was given as a gift on the bill of sale and enter the amount paid for it as “0”.

What happens if the buyer or seller does not sign the Bill of Sale?

The transaction will either need to be renegotiated or canceled entirely.