South Carolina Side by Side Bill of Sale Requirements

South Carolina Side by Side transfer fees and requirements

In South Carolina, the title transfer fee is $15 and registration costs $24 per year. Side by Side sales are subject to 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) capped at $500. South Carolina does not require notarization for private-party side by side transfers. South Carolina does not require emission testing for private-party side by side sales.

• 5% IMF on vehicle purchases, capped at $500
• Title transfer within 45 days of sale
• Property tax must be paid before registration

South Carolina sales tax on side by side purchases

South Carolina has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF), capped at $500. Private-party side by side sales in South Carolina are subject to sales tax. IMF applies to all vehicle sales, capped at $500 max. The title transfer fee is $15.

Side by Side market data and safety information

The most common side by side makes in private-party sales are Polaris, Can-Am, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Average private-party side by side prices range from $5,000–$30,000. Side by sides average 2.6 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Steering, Fuel System, Fire Hazard.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used side by side

Before completing a side by side bill of sale in South Carolina, verify these safety items:

• Verify ROPS (cage) is intact and meets manufacturer specifications
• Check all seat belts and door/net latching mechanisms
• Inspect CV axles and boots — the highest-wear item on side-by-sides
• Test power steering operation and differential lock engagement

Side by Side insurance and depreciation in South Carolina

Insurance averages $200–$600/year. Multi-passenger models cost more. Required for on-road use. Side-by-sides depreciate 30–40% in 3 years. Sport models (RZR, Maverick) depreciate faster than utility models (Ranger). Peak season for private side by side sales is spring for recreation, fall for hunting season, with an average of 25 days on market.

Side by Side registration and titling

Side by Sides are classified as "Off-highway vehicle (OHV) — some states allow street-legal conversion" for registration purposes. Side-by-sides range from 1,000–2,000 lbs. Multi-seat crew models weigh more. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to side by sides.

Side by Side title transfer rules

Side-by-side (SxS) UTV title transfer follows off-highway vehicle (OHV) rules in most states. Many states issue an OHV title or registration card rather than a standard motor vehicle title. A signed bill of sale is critical because some states do not title SxS units at all and rely on the bill of sale as primary proof of ownership. States that title SxS units typically use the same title format as ATVs. States that do not title them rely on the bill of sale and the manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO). Always transfer the MCO if it has not been previously surrendered to a state.

Odometer disclosure for side by side sales

Side-by-side UTVs are off-road vehicles and are exempt from federal odometer disclosure under 49 CFR 580. Document the hour-meter reading on the bill of sale instead — engine hours are the industry-standard wear indicator for SxS units.

Required disclosures for side by side sales in South Carolina

When selling a side by side in South Carolina, the following disclosures apply:

• OHV registration and trail-use stickers are state-specific — confirm whether the unit is street-legal in your state under the applicable LSV (low-speed vehicle) or ROV (recreational off-highway vehicle) statute.
• Aftermarket modifications (lift kits, exhaust, larger tires) may affect insurance and warranty status and should be itemized in the bill of sale.
• Roll cage and seat-belt condition disclosures are recommended — federal ROV safety standards apply to manufacturers but not to private resale.

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.