Michigan Car Bill of Sale — Free Template, TR-52-Compatible

Yes, you can sell your car in Michigan with a free, DMV-accepted bill of sale — created online in 60 seconds, no signup required, no email gate. The state-designated form is TR-52 (Vehicle Bill of Sale) — our template meets all the same requirements. Click below to fill out and download.

Michigan Car Quick Facts

Quick answers for Michigan car sellers

Use this Michigan car bill of sale for private-party transfers. The document records the transfer of ownership, sale price, signatures, and the information both parties need for title records. Passenger car bill of sale transactions are governed primarily by state DMV title transfer rules and the federal odometer disclosure statute (49 CFR Part 580). The bill of sale, signed title, and odometer statement together form the complete legal transfer package for most private-party car sales.

Required information

In Michigan, a bill of sale is a strong seller protection record for private car transactions. Include accurate party details, VIN, sale terms, and signatures before the vehicle changes hands.

• Buyer legal name
• Seller legal name
• VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
• Sale price
• Date of sale
• Odometer reading at sale time
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — 17 characters
• Odometer reading (required for vehicles under 20 years old)
• Salvage, rebuilt, or branded title disclosure (if applicable)
• Emissions compliance status (if in an inspection state)

Car-specific legal considerations

Passenger cars are subject to federal odometer disclosure requirements under 49 CFR Part 580. State-level requirements for emissions inspection, smog certification, and safety inspection vary — check your state DMV for current requirements.

• Federal odometer disclosure law (49 CFR § 580) requires the seller to certify the odometer reading for all passenger cars less than 20 model years old. The disclosure must appear on the title or a separate federal odometer statement form.
• Salvage, rebuilt, or flood-damage title brands must be disclosed to the buyer before sale. Knowingly concealing a branded title is fraud under most state consumer protection statutes.
• Lemon law buyback vehicles must carry a permanent "lemon law buyback" or "manufacturer repurchase" brand on the title in states that participate in the national title brand database (NMVTIS).
• Emissions compliance matters in states with vehicle inspection programs (California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and others). A car that fails emissions cannot be registered by the buyer — disclose any known emissions issues.
• VIN cloning is a common fraud method in which a stolen vehicle is given the VIN plate from a legitimately titled car. Buyers should verify the VIN appears on the dashboard plate, the door jamb sticker, and the title — all three must match.

Michigan fees, taxes, and transfer rules

In Michigan, vehicle sales are subject to 6% use tax on purchase price. The title transfer fee is $15. Michigan does not require notarization for most private-party vehicle transfers.

• Secretary of State handles title and registration
• Title transfer must be completed within 15 days
• Plate transfer allowed between vehicles owned by same person

Does Michigan require a bill of sale?

Michigan sellers should keep a signed bill of sale for private transfers and title records.

Keep a signed bill of sale, complete title transfer promptly, and retain seller records in case of post-sale disputes.

Official DMV guidance: Michigan DMV title transfer information

Official Michigan bill of sale form

The official Michigan bill of sale form is TR-52 (Vehicle Bill of Sale). This is the state-designated form used to document private-party vehicle transfers.

BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets Michigan requirements and can be used in place of TR-52. Our form includes all fields required by Michigan law and produces a printable PDF you can submit to your local DMV or keep for your records.

State requirements for Michigan

In Michigan, a vehicle bill of sale is required for private-party transfers. The state charges 6% sales tax on vehicle sales, calculated on the sale price. Title transfer must be completed within 15 days at your local DMV.

Additional Michigan requirements:

• Secretary of State handles title and registration
• Title transfer must be completed within 15 days
• Plate transfer allowed between vehicles owned by same person

Car transfer and title notes

Standard passenger vehicle title transfer requires a signed title, bill of sale, and odometer disclosure statement. Both buyer and seller must sign the title assignment.

Odometer disclosure

Federal law (49 CFR 580) requires an odometer disclosure for passenger cars less than 20 years old at the time of transfer. The seller must certify the reading is accurate or indicate if the odometer has been tampered with or exceeds its mechanical limits.

Applicable federal law: 49 CFR Part 580 — Odometer Disclosure Requirements

Title and registration

A clean certificate of title signed by the registered owner is the primary transfer document. Some states issue electronic titles that must be converted to paper before a private sale.

Special disclosures for car sales

• Salvage or rebuilt title status must be disclosed to the buyer before sale.
• Lemon law buyback history must be disclosed in states that track branded titles.
• Emission compliance status may affect registration in states with inspection programs.

Common mistakes to avoid

Private-party car sales in Michigan go wrong when paperwork is rushed or incomplete. Avoid these costly errors:

• Incorrect or missing VIN. A VIN is exactly 17 characters with no letters I, O, or Q. Transcribing it wrong is the most common reason Michigan DMV offices reject title paperwork.
• Forgetting the odometer disclosure. Federal law requires an odometer disclosure on the title for vehicles under 20 years old. Leaving it blank — or writing "exempt" when the vehicle qualifies — can void the sale or trigger fines in Michigan.
• Missing or incomplete signatures. Both the buyer and seller must sign the bill of sale. In Michigan, an unsigned document has no legal weight. If there are co-owners, every owner listed on the title must sign.
• Not obtaining a lien release. If there is an outstanding loan on the car, the seller must obtain a lien release from the lender before the title can transfer. Buyers should verify the title is clear before handing over payment.
• Not notifying the Michigan DMV of the sale. Sellers who skip the DMV sale notification remain liable for parking tickets, tolls, and even accidents involving the car after it changes hands. File a release-of-liability form with Michigan as soon as the sale closes.
• Accepting personal checks or informal payment. Personal checks can bounce days after the sale. Use a cashier's check, money order, or verified electronic transfer for the full amount. Document the payment method on the bill of sale.

What happens after the sale

After the sale is complete, the seller should notify the Michigan DMV of the transfer to release liability for the car. The buyer must register the car and transfer the title within the deadline set by Michigan — failure to do so can result in late fees or penalties. Both parties should keep signed copies of the bill of sale and any supporting documents (odometer disclosure, lien release, etc.) for at least five years. The seller should cancel or transfer their insurance policy on the sold car, and the buyer must obtain valid insurance before driving or operating the car.