Free Wisconsin As-Is Bill of Sale

Wisconsin As-Is Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Sales Tax Details

Wisconsin imposes a 5% state sales tax on private vehicle sales, plus county tax (0.5% in most counties, 0.9% in Milwaukee County) and the 2% City of Milwaukee tax where the vehicle is kept. The tax is calculated on the actual purchase price declared on Form MV1 at the time of title transfer.

Inspection Requirements

Wisconsin does not require a safety inspection as a condition of private vehicle sale. Wisconsin has no safety inspection for private vehicles. The only test is emissions: if the vehicle will be kept in Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, or Waukesha County, a covered vehicle may need an emissions test within 45 days of purchase. The seller has no obligation to provide a passing inspection for an as-is sale.

Wisconsin As-Is Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Sign the Wisconsin certificate of title on the reverse, completing the odometer disclosure, sale price, buyer name, and seller signature.
2. Draft a written as-is bill of sale with "AS IS — NO WARRANTIES" in conspicuous text (bold or all-caps) per Wis. Stat. § 402.316; the AS IS clause must be in writing, not just verbal.
3. Complete Form MV1 (Title and License Plate Application) with the actual sale price for the buyer to submit at the DMV.
4. Record the full VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and date on the bill of sale.
5. Both parties sign two copies of the bill of sale; each retains one.
6. Seller removes Wisconsin license plates — plates are registered to the owner, not the vehicle, and stay with the seller.
7. Buyer submits Form MV1, signed title, and 5% sales tax to a Wisconsin DMV service center within two business days after purchase if the vehicle will be driven.

Common Pitfalls

• Emissions test in southeast Wisconsin: if the buyer keeps the vehicle in one of the 7 testing counties, a covered vehicle may need an emissions test within 45 days of purchase. A vehicle sold as-is may fail, leaving the buyer responsible for repairs. Sellers should disclose known inspection-failing issues to reduce post-sale disputes and avoid Wis. Stat. § 100.18 claims.
• Wisconsin § 100.18 broader than expected: unlike most state consumer protection laws, Wisconsin Stat. § 100.18 has been applied to private individuals who make affirmative misrepresentations when advertising or selling property — not just merchants. A false statement in a Craigslist ad or verbal claim during showing can create liability even for a casual seller, even alongside an as-is clause. Silence about defects is generally safe; affirmative false claims are not.
• AS IS must be written and conspicuous: under Wis. Stat. § 402.316, the disclaimer must be in writing and must be conspicuous. A verbal "I'm selling it as-is" carries no legal weight in Wisconsin — get it in writing with visual prominence.
• Form MV1 is required: Wisconsin's MV1 form is necessary to complete the title transfer and registration. Using only the signed title without MV1 will delay the registration process. Ensure the buyer has this form completed before leaving the transaction.
• Short transfer clock: if the vehicle will be operated, WisDOT says the buyer should title and register it within two business days after purchase; until the buyer titles it, the seller remains on Wisconsin records as the registered owner. Sellers should follow up to confirm title transfer has been completed.

Pro Tip

Wisconsin has no post-purchase safety inspection, but its broad misrepresentation statute (Wis. Stat. § 100.18) means careful wording matters in as-is transactions — full written disclosure of known defects, a conspicuous written AS IS clause, and careful avoidance of any affirmative misrepresentations are the seller's essential protections.

Wisconsin As-Is Bill of Sale — FAQs