Free Washington As-Is Bill of Sale
Washington's lemon law (RCW § 19.118) covers only new vehicles purchased from licensed dealers — private as-is sales receive no lemon law protection. Under the WA UCC (RCW § 62A.2-316), an "AS IS" disclaimer must be conspicuous to effectively waive implied warranties. Washington's Consumer Protection Act (RCW § 19.86) has been applied by courts to private individuals who engage in "trade or commerce" through repeated vehicle sales — a seller who makes multiple vehicle sales per year may not qualify for the casual-seller exception and can face CPA liability.
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Washington As-Is Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Washington imposes a 6.5% use tax on private vehicle sales, applied to the actual purchase price declared at title transfer. Unlike some states, Washington does NOT apply a book-value floor for private party transactions — the tax is based on what the buyer actually paid.
Inspection Requirements
Washington state does not require a safety or emissions inspection as a condition of private vehicle sales or registration transfer. There is no statewide emissions program for vehicle registration.
Washington As-Is Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Sign the Washington certificate of title on the reverse, completing the odometer disclosure, sale price, and buyer information sections.
- Draft a written as-is bill of sale with "AS IS — NO WARRANTIES" in conspicuous (bold, all-caps, or larger-font) text per RCW § 62A.2-316.
- Record the full VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, actual sale price, and date on the bill of sale.
- Both parties sign two copies of the bill of sale; each retains one.
- Seller removes Washington license plates — plates remain with the seller and can be transferred to another vehicle.
- Complete a Report of Sale online at the Washington DOL website immediately to release seller liability for post-sale incidents.
- Buyer applies for title transfer and pays 6.5% use tax at a DOL vehicle licensing office within 15 days.
Common Pitfalls
- Washington CPA multiple-vehicle trap: Washington courts have applied the Consumer Protection Act to private individuals who sell multiple vehicles per year, treating them as engaging in trade or commerce. Selling even 2–3 vehicles per year can expose you to CPA liability — buyers in these transactions can sue for treble damages. The casual-seller exception is much narrower in Washington than most people expect.
- AS IS conspicuousness: under RCW § 62A.2-316, the disclaimer must visually stand out from surrounding text. Standard body-weight text in a form document will not satisfy the requirement — bold or all-caps is the safe standard.
- 15-day title transfer deadline: Washington's 15-day window is one of the shortest in the country. If the buyer misses this window and continues driving, the seller remains on state records as the registered owner and is potentially liable for traffic violations and civil claims arising from the buyer's use.
- Report of Sale omission: sellers who fail to file the online Report of Sale remain exposed to parking tickets, toll charges, and liability for incidents involving the sold vehicle. This is a free, 2-minute process at dol.wa.gov — there is no reason to skip it.
- 6.5% use tax is among the highest in the region: at 6.5%, Washington's private-party use tax is higher than Oregon (no tax), Idaho (6%), or Montana (no tax). Buyers coming from neighboring states are sometimes surprised — make sure both parties understand the tax obligation before the sale.
Pro Tip
Washington's Consumer Protection Act is the most underappreciated risk for private vehicle sellers in the state — if you sell vehicles with any frequency, the casual-seller exception may not protect you, and a conspicuous AS IS clause combined with full disclosure of known defects is your best defense.