Free Michigan Car Bill of Sale
Michigan keeps vehicle sales simple: flat 6% sales tax (no local add-ons), no inspection requirement, and a straightforward Secretary of State process. The buyer must transfer the title within 15 days of the sale, with a $15 late fee after that.
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First time selling a car privately? Our complete guide covers how to verify the buyer, which payment methods are safe, what paperwork the DMV actually needs, and the odometer disclosure mistake that can make a transaction legally void. Read: Car Bill of Sale: Complete Guide →
Michigan Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
6%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Sales Tax Details
Michigan charges 6% sales tax on vehicle purchases. No additional county or city tax. Tax is on the full purchase price or fair market value, whichever is greater.
Inspection Requirements
No statewide safety or emissions inspection in Michigan. (Michigan is one of the few states without any routine vehicle inspection.)
Michigan Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Complete bill of sale with VIN, odometer, sale price, signatures.
- Seller completes odometer disclosure on title and signs over.
- Seller removes plates (Michigan is plates-to-owner).
- Buyer completes Form TR-11L at a Michigan SOS branch within 15 days of the sale.
- Buyer pays 6% sales tax + $15 title fee + registration.
- Buyer gets new plate or transfers plates from an existing vehicle.
- No inspection required — skip to registration.
- Seller: before handing over the title, copy its front and back after both of you fill it out. Keep the copy and the bill of sale for at least 18 months.
Common Pitfalls
- Missing the 15-day deadline — late transfer fees apply.
- Leaving plates on the sold car — Michigan requires plate removal.
- Underreporting sale price: Michigan tax is due on the purchase price or fair market value, whichever is greater.
- Not keeping proof of the sale. Until the buyer transfers the title, Michigan's record still shows you as the owner. Without a title copy or bill of sale, you have no proof the car was sold if it is later ticketed or used carelessly.
Pro Tip
Michigan car sales are unusually simple: 6% tax, no inspection, plates-to-owner, SOS handles everything. Signed title + TR-11L = done, with a bill of sale kept as your record.
Michigan Car Bill of Sale — FAQs
Does Michigan require vehicle inspection to sell?
No. Michigan is one of the few states with no statewide safety or emissions inspection for private vehicles. Registration renews annually without any testing requirement.
Do I keep my plates in Michigan?
Yes — Michigan plates stay with the owner, not the vehicle. Remove the plates when selling and transfer them to your next car, or surrender them at an SOS office.
How much is sales tax on a car in Michigan?
Flat 6% statewide, on the full purchase price or fair market value, whichever is greater. No additional county, city, or local surtaxes. On a $20,000 sale at or above market value, tax is $1,200 regardless of which Michigan county you live in.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Michigan?
The Secretary of State does not list one among the papers needed to transfer a title. The signed title carries the sale. But a record of the sale protects the seller. The title stays in your name until the buyer transfers it. SOS tells sellers to copy the front and back of the filled-out title and keep it, with a record of the sale, for at least 18 months. Under Section 257.240 of the Michigan Vehicle Code, a seller with proof of sale is not liable if the buyer never transfers the title.
What if the Michigan title has no space for the mileage?
Use the Michigan Department of State Odometer Mileage Statement, form BDVR-108. The seller writes the reading with no tenths and checks one box: actual mileage, not actual mileage, or exceeds the odometer's mechanical limits (a 5-digit odometer that rolled over). The seller and buyer print their names and addresses and sign. The back of the form is only for leased vehicles.
Can a wrong mileage be fixed after a Michigan car sale?
Rarely. SOS says the mileage given on a title application is generally not eligible for correction once it is filed. BDVR-108 also warns that mileage cannot be corrected at a later date. So write the exact reading, never an estimate. If the seller made the mistake, the fix is an amended odometer statement from that seller and a corrected title application at a Secretary of State office.
Can I drive a car home without plates after buying it in Michigan?
Yes, for three days from the sale date, on the most direct route. Carry the signed-over title and proof of insurance. Do not use the seller's plate. The seller keeps it, and could be held responsible for tickets if it stays on the car.
Can the buyer transfer the title if the Michigan seller can't come to the office?
Yes. The seller fills out and signs the seller's part of the title first. The buyer then brings a driver's license or ID, the title, proof of Michigan No-Fault insurance, and payment for the 6% tax, the $15 title fee and registration. If the car had a loan, also bring a lien release, such as the lienholder's signed "paid" stamp on the title or a termination statement that lists the VIN.