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Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky Car Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a car in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Lexington-Fayette, KentuckyCarPopulation rank #54

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Car VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Fayette County

DMV / Title Office

Fayette County Clerk – Motor Vehicle

Address

150 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40507

Phone

(859) 574-6520

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$9.00

Sales Tax Rate

6.00%

Base Registration Fee

$21.00

Kentucky state rate 6% — no local sales tax on vehicles

Notarization: REQUIRED

Kentucky requires notarization of the title assignment when transferring vehicle ownership between private parties.

Lexington-Fayette Transfer Checklist

  • Title assignment must be notarized in Kentucky
  • Title transfer at the Fayette County Clerk within 15 days
  • Kentucky 6% usage tax collected at title transfer
  • Odometer disclosure required for vehicles under 10 years old

County Information — Fayette County

County Clerk / Recorder

Fayette County Clerk

Phone

(859) 253-3344

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 Kentucky, 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

Car insurance and depreciation in Kentucky

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.

Car sales in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky

Lexington-Fayette residents completing a car bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Kentucky state rules. The state sales tax rate is 6%, flat 6% motor vehicle usage tax statewide. The most popular car makes in Kentucky include Toyota, Honda, Ford.

Kentucky bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,071 bill of sale documents for Kentucky transactions, with 29 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why 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

What county is Lexington-Fayette in, and which office handles title transfers?

Lexington-Fayette is in Fayette County. Title transfers are handled by the Fayette County Clerk – Motor Vehicle at 150 E Main St, Lexington, KY 40507. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM. Phone: (859) 574-6520.

What is the sales tax rate on a car sale in Lexington-Fayette?

The combined rate is 6.00%. Kentucky state rate 6% — no local sales tax on vehicles.

Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in Lexington-Fayette?

Yes. Kentucky requires notarization of the title assignment when transferring vehicle ownership between private parties.

What fees should I expect when transferring a car title in Lexington-Fayette?

Title transfer fee: $9.00. Base registration fee: $21.00. Sales tax at 6.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.