$BillOfSale.app

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. Title transfer must happen within 15 days — one of the shorter deadlines — and the seller must submit a TR-114 (Application for Title) to release liability.

Michigan Requirements: Transfer title within 15 days. 6% sales tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Car Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Remove it for €4.99. Already subscribed? Sign in.

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 Form
Application for Michigan Vehicle Title
Agency
Michigan Secretary of State
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 stated purchase price (SOS may challenge artificially low prices).

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

  1. Complete bill of sale with VIN, odometer, sale price, signatures.
  2. Seller completes odometer disclosure on title and signs over.
  3. Seller removes plates (Michigan is plates-to-owner).
  4. Seller or buyer completes Form TR-11L at a Michigan SOS branch within 15 days.
  5. Buyer pays 6% sales tax + $15 title fee + registration.
  6. Buyer gets new plate or transfers plates from an existing vehicle.
  7. No inspection required — skip to registration.

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 SOS checks against market value and may reassess tax.

Pro Tip

Michigan car sales are unusually simple: 6% tax, no inspection, plates-to-owner, SOS handles everything. TR-11L + title + bill of sale = done.

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. No additional county, city, or local surtaxes. On a $20,000 car, tax is $1,200 regardless of which Michigan county you live in.