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Columbia, South Carolina Car Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a car in Columbia, South Carolina. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Columbia, South CarolinaCarPopulation rank #187

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 — Richland County

DMV / Title Office

SC SCDMV – Columbia Shop Road Office

Address

1630 Shop Rd, Columbia, SC 29201

Phone

(803) 896-5000

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$15.00

Sales Tax Rate

9.00%

Base Registration Fee

$40.00

SC IMF fee $500 max on vehicle purchases

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

South Carolina does not require notarization.

Columbia Transfer Checklist

  • $500 max IMF fee instead of standard sales tax
  • Title transfer at SCDMV within 45 days
  • Seller must sign title
  • Property tax paid to Richland County

County Information — Richland County

County Clerk / Recorder

Richland County Clerk of Court

Phone

(803) 576-1950

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 South Carolina, 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 South Carolina

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 Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia residents completing a car bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to South Carolina state rules. The state sales tax rate is 5%, 5% infrastructure maintenance fee (imf), capped at $500. The most popular car makes in South Carolina include Toyota, Honda, Ford.

South Carolina bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 1,283 bill of sale documents for South Carolina transactions, with 35 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 Columbia in, and which office handles title transfers?

Columbia is in Richland County. Title transfers are handled by the SC SCDMV – Columbia Shop Road Office at 1630 Shop Rd, Columbia, SC 29201. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (803) 896-5000.

What is the sales tax rate on a car sale in Columbia?

The combined rate is 9.00%. SC IMF fee $500 max on vehicle purchases.

Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in Columbia?

No. South Carolina does not require notarization.

What fees should I expect when transferring a car title in Columbia?

Title transfer fee: $15.00. Base registration fee: $40.00. Sales tax at 9.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.