Free North Dakota Used Car Bill of Sale

A North Dakota used-car bill of sale serves three jobs at once: it records the price behind the 5% MVET, it documents the odometer for federal law, and it protects both parties if the deal is later disputed. ND has no inspection and no private-party lemon law, so the bill of sale is the buyer's only meaningful written record of what they were told and what they paid.

North Dakota Requirements: The buyer applies for a new title within 30 days of receiving the signed title; the seller must hand it over within 30 days of the sale. 5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.

Seller Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Buyer Information

Full Name *

Street Address *

City *

State *

ZIP Code *

Phone

Used Car Details

Year *

Make *

Model *

VIN *

Color *

Mileage *

License Plate

Odometer reading is accurate to the best of my knowledge

Lien Holder (if applicable)

Sale Information

Sale Price ($) *

Payment Method *

Date of Sale *

County of Sale (if known)

Applicable Taxes Paid By

Condition & Warranty

Sold AS-IS (no warranty)

Warranty Details (if applicable)

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Selling a used car as-is? Our private sale checklist walks you through price research, safely screening buyers, and the exact paperwork steps — so nothing slips through and you stay protected from post-sale disputes. Read: Private Car Sale Checklist →

North Dakota Used Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form

SFN 62502

Private Party Vehicle Bill of Sale

Agency

NDDOT MVD

North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division

Primary ID Field

VIN

Sales Tax

Title Required

Yes

Used car sales in ND are 100% caveat emptor — there is no statewide safety inspection and no lemon law equivalent for private-party deals. The signed title plus your bill of sale (NDDOT's private-party form is SFN 62502) are your only proof of what you bought, when, and for how much. Verify the title is in the seller's name (not "open" with someone else's signature in the assignment block) before handing over any cash.

Inspection

Not required

Sales Tax Details

5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax — the statute says on the purchase price, while NDDOT's 2026 private-party bill of sale form (SFN 62502) says fair market value. There is no trade-in credit on private-party deals — the credit only applies when you trade in a vehicle at a licensed ND dealer. Write down what you actually paid and keep proof (bank transfer, cashier's check copy).

Exemption: A gift between spouses, parent and child, siblings, or grandparent and grandchild is exempt; ask NDDOT about any other exemption before relying on it. There is no "casual sale" or "occasional sale" exemption — every used-car private-party sale is taxable.

Inspection Requirements

No state safety inspection. A pre-purchase inspection at an independent shop (typical cost in ND $100-150) is the cheapest insurance you can buy on a used car. Pay particular attention to the undercarriage and brake lines — ND winters and chip-seal county roads chew up vehicles fast.

Registration

Registration for this vehicle type is handled by North Dakota Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (NDDOT MVD) — not the same agency that handles cars in North Dakota. Plan for separate filings.

North Dakota Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

Run the VIN through NICB and NMVTIS for theft and title-history red flags before paying — these checks are cheap and catch washed titles from bordering states.
Match the VIN on the title against the VIN on the dashboard and the federal sticker in the door jamb.
Record the exact odometer reading on the bill of sale AND the title assignment block.
Write "AS-IS, NO WARRANTY" clearly on the bill of sale for private-party sales — ND has no implied warranty for casual sellers, and this protects the seller from later "you didn't tell me" claims.
Submit the title application (SFN 2872) and assigned title to your motor vehicle office within 30 days of receiving the endorsed title.
Pay 5% MVET at the counter — debit card, check, or cash; some rural offices do not take credit cards.

Common Pitfalls

Buying on an "open title" — meaning the seller has a title in someone else's name and asks you to deal with the assignment yourself. This is a red flag for curbstoning and possible title fraud. Walk away.
Leaving the price blank or "to be determined" — the paperwork then does not record what you actually paid.
Forgetting the AS-IS language and getting hit with a small-claims demand 30 days later when the buyer's transmission gives out.
Skipping the title-history check on a vehicle from MN, MT, or SD — those states see washed titles and flood-damage transfers move across borders.
Counting on the seller to "send the title later" after you pay. Title in hand or no deal.

Pro Tip

No inspection, no lemon law, no take-backs. A clear AS-IS bill of sale, a verified VIN, and a clean title in the seller's name are the three things that protect you in a North Dakota used-car deal.

North Dakota Used Car Bill of Sale — FAQs

Does ND have a lemon law for private-party used cars?

No. North Dakota's lemon law applies to new vehicles and, in limited form, certified used vehicles from licensed dealers. A car bought from a private seller is sold AS-IS by default, with no implied warranty of merchantability under ND law's casual-seller exception. Once money changes hands and the title is signed, the buyer owns the vehicle and any problems that surface later. This is why a pre-purchase inspection and a written AS-IS bill of sale matter so much in ND.

Can I deduct a trade-in from MVET on a private-party sale?

No. ND only allows the trade-in credit when you trade a vehicle into a licensed ND dealer at the time of purchase. Two private parties cannot trade vehicles and reduce each other's MVET — each owes the 5% MVET on the vehicle they receive (the statute says purchase price; NDDOT's 2026 private-party form says fair market value). A straight swap with no cash changing hands does not remove the tax.

How do I check if a used ND title has a lien on it?

A North Dakota paper title shows liens on the face of the document; if a lender is named, the lien is open. You can also call NDDOT MVD and request a title record search by VIN for a small fee. Never buy a vehicle where the title shows an open lien unless you receive an original lien release from the lender at the same time as the title — a verbal "the loan is paid off" is worthless until the bank confirms in writing. Out-of-state liens require the lien-release letter from that state's lender on letterhead.

I just moved to ND from another state with my used car — what do I do?

New ND residents have 90 days to title and register a vehicle previously titled in another state. Bring the out-of-state title (or current registration if the title is held by a lienholder), proof of ND insurance, proof of ND residency, and a completed SFN 2872. You will pay 5% MVET on the vehicle's current value, but ND grants credit for sales or excise tax already paid to your prior state — bring documentation of what you paid and when. A bill of sale from the original purchase helps establish that prior tax payment.

Other North Dakota Templates

Vehicle Bill of Sale Car Bill of Sale Motorcycle Bill of Sale Boat Bill of Sale Trailer Bill of Sale Horse Bill of Sale ATV Bill of Sale Gun / Firearm Bill of Sale RV Bill of Sale General Bill of Sale Free Printable Bill of Sale Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale As-Is Bill of Sale Gift Bill of Sale

Used Car in Other States

Texas Florida Georgia Missouri Utah Oregon Alabama Colorado Connecticut Arkansas

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