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Free Vehicle Sale Agreement Template

A UK vehicle sale agreement is a written contract between a private seller and buyer for the sale of a car, van, motorcycle, or other vehicle under English law. It records the key details of the transaction and protects both British parties in the event of a dispute.

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VEHICLE SALE AGREEMENT
Private Sale (SGA 1979 Ss.12-13 + Misrep Act 1967)  ·  England And Wales
SELLER
James Edward Thornton
42 Oak Avenue, Manchester, M1 2AB
By: 07700 900123 / james.thornton@example.com, Private individual
BUYER
Sarah Louise Collins
17 Elm Road, Leeds, LS1 4CD
By: 07700 900456 / sarah.collins@example.com, Private individual
2018 Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi Titanium · AB18 XYZ
£8,500.00 · 2026-04-17
This Vehicle Sale Agreement (this "Agreement") is made on 2026-04-17 between James Edward Thornton of 42 Oak Avenue, Manchester, M1 2AB (the "Seller") and Sarah Louise Collins of 17 Elm Road, Leeds, LS1 4CD (the "Buyer"). The Seller agrees to sell and the Buyer agrees to purchase the motor vehicle described in clause 1 below on the terms of this Agreement.
1.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
The Seller agrees to sell and the Buyer agrees to buy the following motor vehicle (the "Vehicle"), which is described in compliance with Sale of Goods Act 1979 s.13 (and, where applicable, Consumer Rights Act 2015 s.11):
MakeFord
ModelFocus 1.5 TDCi Titanium
Year of Manufacture2018
ColourMagnetic Grey Metallic
Registration MarkAB18 XYZ
VIN / Chassis No.WF0AXXGBDAHY12345
Engine No. / Capacity1,499 cc diesel, 120 bhp
Fuel / TransmissionDiesel / 6-speed Manual
Mileage at sale45,200 miles
Previous keepers2
2.
MILEAGE DECLARATION AND CPUT 2008 COMPLIANCE
The Seller warrants that the recorded mileage stated in clause 1 is, to the best of the Seller's knowledge, true and accurate, and that the Seller has not, nor authorised any other person to, interfere with, wind back, reset or otherwise alter the Vehicle's odometer. Misrepresentation of mileage ("clocking") is a banned commercial practice under Schedule 1 to the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPUT) and may constitute an offence under the Fraud Act 2006 s.2. The Buyer is advised to verify the recorded mileage against previous MOT histories at gov.uk/check-mot-history.
3.
TITLE AND FREEDOM FROM ENCUMBRANCES
The Seller warrants under section 12 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (which may not be excluded under UCTA 1977 s.6(1)) that:
(a) the Seller has the right to sell the Vehicle and will have that right at the time title passes;
(b) the Vehicle is, and at the time title passes will remain, free from any undisclosed charge, lien, hire-purchase, personal-contract-purchase (PCP), logbook loan under the Bills of Sale Acts 1878 and 1882, or other encumbrance;
(c) the Buyer will enjoy quiet possession of the Vehicle, save for any charge or encumbrance disclosed to the Buyer before this Agreement is made;
(d) the Vehicle is not recorded as stolen, a write-off (Cat A/B/S/N), or an insurance total-loss.
4.
PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT
The Buyer agrees to pay the Seller the sum of £8,500.00 (the "Purchase Price") for the Vehicle. A non-refundable deposit of £500.00 has been paid by the Buyer to secure this Agreement, such deposit to be credited against the Purchase Price on completion. The balance of the Purchase Price shall be paid by electronic bank transfer (BACS / Faster Payments), funds to be cleared in the Seller's account before release of the vehicle on or before the handover of the Vehicle. Time for payment is of the essence. Under the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 (where applicable), the Seller may charge statutory interest at 8% above the Bank of England base rate and fixed sums on any overdue balance in a business-to-business transaction.
5.
TRANSFER OF RISK AND OWNERSHIP
Ownership (legal and beneficial title) of the Vehicle shall pass to the Buyer upon receipt by the Seller of the Purchase Price in cleared funds (retention of title). Risk in the Vehicle (including insurance obligations) shall pass to the Buyer upon physical handover of the Vehicle. The Buyer is responsible for arranging and evidencing valid motor insurance before taking possession of or driving the Vehicle on a public road (Road Traffic Act 1988 s.143). Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) is non-transferable; under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 the Seller will receive a refund of any complete months of unused VED and the Buyer must tax the Vehicle before use.
6.
APPLICABLE STATUTORY REGIME AND WARRANTIES
This sale is a private sale between private individuals. Accordingly, the implied terms as to satisfactory quality (SGA 1979 s.14(2)) and fitness for purpose (s.14(3)) do not apply. However, s.12 (title), s.13 (correspondence with description) and s.15 (sample) do apply, and no exclusion of s.12 is permitted (UCTA 1977 s.6(1)). The Buyer retains remedies under the Misrepresentation Act 1967 ss.1-3 for any false statement of fact that induced the sale.

Additional seller warranty: The Seller warrants the Vehicle for a period of 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first from the date of sale in respect of: Engine, gearbox and cooling system (excluding wear items). This additional warranty operates without prejudice to, and in addition to, the Buyer's statutory rights.

Disclosed defects and faults (fully known to the Buyer at the time of sale): Minor scratch on near-side rear bumper; air-conditioning compressor requires regassing; one alloy wheel has kerb damage (rear offside). The Buyer acknowledges that, to the extent these defects are so disclosed, the Buyer cannot rely on them to bring any subsequent claim for breach of description, quality or fitness.
7.
VEHICLE PROVENANCE CHECK
The Buyer confirms that a vehicle provenance (HPI / MyCarCheck / CAP HPI) check has been carried out prior to sale and the results reviewed. The Seller warrants the accuracy of the information provided for that check. The check showed no undisclosed outstanding finance, write-off marker, stolen-vehicle record or mileage discrepancy.
8.
MOT, SERVICE HISTORY, VED AND EXTRAS
The Vehicle holds a valid MOT certificate under Road Traffic Act 1988 s.47 expiring on 2026-09-01. The Vehicle is sold with full main-dealer service history, the most recent service having been carried out on 2025-11-12. Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) is currently paid; any refund of unused months accrues to the Seller and the Buyer must separately tax the Vehicle online at gov.uk/vehicle-tax before driving.

Items included with the Vehicle: Two keys (one master, one valet), complete V5C logbook, original service book stamped by Ford main dealer, handbook pack, Ford mats, first-aid kit, spare wheel.
9.
DELIVERY, HANDOVER AND V5C REGISTRATION
The Buyer shall collect the Vehicle from the Seller on 2026-04-20. Risk in the Vehicle passes on collection.

The Seller shall deliver the complete V5C logbook (Registration Certificate) to the Buyer at handover. The Buyer must immediately submit the new-keeper section online at gov.uk/sold-bought-vehicle or by post to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.
10.
MISREPRESENTATION AND INSPECTION
The Buyer acknowledges that they have had the opportunity to inspect the Vehicle (and/or to obtain an independent inspection) prior to signing this Agreement, and has satisfied themselves as to its condition save as to any matter subsequently coming to light that constitutes a breach of the implied terms identified above or a misrepresentation. Nothing in this Agreement shall exclude or limit any liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation or for death or personal injury caused by negligence. For any other pre-contract statement, the Buyer's remedies (and the Seller's liability) are limited to those available under the Misrepresentation Act 1967 ss.1-3, subject to the reasonableness test in s.3.
11.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL
(a) This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties concerning the sale of the Vehicle and supersedes all prior discussions, negotiations and agreements, save that nothing in this clause limits or excludes any liability for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation.
(b) No variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of both parties.
(c) If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court or other competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, the validity of the other provisions and the remainder of the affected provision shall not be affected.
(d) A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no rights under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any of its terms.
(e) Any simple-contract claim arising under this Agreement is subject to the six-year limitation period in section 5 of the Limitation Act 1980.
12.
GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
This Agreement and any dispute or claim (including non-contractual disputes or claims) arising out of or in connection with it or its subject matter or formation shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales. The parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any such dispute or claim, save that the Seller may enforce payment in any court of competent jurisdiction.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date first written above.
SELLER
2026-04-17
Date of execution
James Edward Thornton
Date: ____________________
BUYER
2026-04-17
Date of execution
Sarah Louise Collins
Date: ____________________

What Is a Vehicle Sale Agreement?

A vehicle sale agreement (sometimes called a bill of sale) is a written record of a private vehicle sale. It identifies the buyer, the seller, the vehicle, the price, and the terms of the sale. In England and Wales, there is no legal requirement to use a written agreement for a private vehicle sale, but having one provides valuable evidence if problems arise.

The agreement confirms that ownership has transferred from the seller to the buyer, records the sale price, and typically includes declarations about the vehicle's condition, mileage, and history. This protects the seller from future claims and gives the buyer documented proof of purchase.

For private sales in the United Kingdom (as opposed to sales by a dealer), the buyer's statutory rights are more limited. The UK Consumer Rights Act 2015 does not apply to private sales in England and Wales. Instead, the sale is governed by general British contract law principles, making a clear written agreement all the more important.

What's Covered in This Template

Our vehicle sale agreement template covers all the essential elements of a private sale:

Seller Details

Full name, address, and contact details of the seller.

Buyer Details

Full name, address, and contact details of the buyer.

Vehicle Description

Make, model, year, colour, registration number, and VIN.

Mileage Declaration

The odometer reading at the time of sale.

Sale Price

The agreed purchase price and method of payment.

Condition Statement

Declaration of the vehicle's condition — sold as seen or with specific representations.

Ownership Confirmation

Seller's declaration that they are the legal owner and have the right to sell.

Outstanding Finance

Confirmation of whether there is any outstanding finance, HP, or other encumbrance on the vehicle.

MOT and Tax Status

Current MOT expiry date and vehicle tax status.

Signatures

Dated signatures of both buyer and seller confirming the agreement.

How to Create a Vehicle Sale Agreement

Follow these steps to document a private vehicle sale properly:

  1. 1

    Verify the Vehicle

    Check the V5C registration certificate, MOT history (online at GOV.UK), and run an HPI check to confirm there is no outstanding finance, insurance write-off, or stolen marker.

  2. 2

    Agree the Terms

    Settle on the sale price, payment method, and any conditions (e.g. subject to test drive, sold as seen).

  3. 3

    Complete the Agreement

    Fill in both parties' details, the vehicle information, price, mileage, and condition declarations.

  4. 4

    Sign the Agreement

    Both the buyer and seller sign and date the agreement. Each party keeps a copy.

  5. 5

    Transfer Ownership

    Complete the V5C registration certificate (log book) and send the relevant section to the DVLA. The buyer should receive a receipt and the green "new keeper" slip.

Legal Considerations

Private vehicle sales in England and Wales are governed by general contract law rather than consumer protection legislation.

This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.

Reviewed for England & Wales law

Private vs Trade Sales

The UK Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to sales by traders (dealers, businesses). Private sales in England and Wales are not covered by this Act. In a British private sale, the vehicle must match its description and the seller must have the legal right to sell, but there is no implied condition that the vehicle is of satisfactory quality or fit for purpose.

Misrepresentation

If the seller makes a false statement about the vehicle (e.g. about its mileage, accident history, or condition) that the British buyer relies on, the buyer may have a claim for misrepresentation under the UK Misrepresentation Act 1967. This is why honest declarations in the UK agreement are essential.

Outstanding Finance

If a UK vehicle is subject to outstanding hire purchase (HP) or conditional sale finance, the British finance company — not the registered keeper — owns the vehicle. Selling a vehicle with outstanding finance without disclosure may be a criminal offence in England and Wales. Buyers should always run an HPI or similar check.

DVLA Registration

The seller must notify the DVLA of the sale using the V5C registration certificate under British law. The buyer should receive the green "new keeper" slip from the V5C immediately and the full V5C from the UK DVLA within a few weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Document Your Vehicle Sale Properly

Use our free template to create a clear vehicle sale agreement. Protect yourself as buyer or seller in just a few minutes.

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