A Lorry / HGV Bill of Sale is a written legal document that records the private or commercial sale and transfer of ownership of a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) — commonly called a lorry — in England and Wales. HGVs are broadly defined as goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) exceeding 3,500 kilograms under the Road Traffic Act 1988. The category includes rigid lorries, articulated tractor units and their semi-trailers, flatbeds, box vans, curtainsiders, tippers, tankers, refrigerated vehicles, and other specialist HGVs used throughout the UK transport and logistics industry.

The bill of sale identifies the Seller and Buyer by their full legal names and addresses, precisely identifies the lorry by its DVLA registration number (VRM), Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or chassis number, engine number, body type, and gross vehicle weight as recorded on the V5C (Vehicle Registration Certificate), and records the agreed purchase price in pounds sterling. It certifies the odometer reading at the time of sale, the DVSA annual roadworthiness test (commonly called the 'HGV MOT') expiry date, and the tachograph calibration status — all commercially critical details in any HGV transaction.

The primary legislative framework governing HGV sales in England and Wales includes the Sale of Goods Act 1979, which implies a set of statutory terms into every contract for the sale of goods — most importantly the Seller's warranty of title under section 12 (which cannot be excluded in any sale). In business-to-business HGV transactions, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 does not apply; instead the parties are governed by SOGA 1979 and the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977. The Road Traffic Act 1988 governs roadworthiness, driver licensing, and the obligations of HGV operators on public roads. The Goods Vehicles (Licensing of Operators) Act 1995 imposes operator licensing requirements for all goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes GVW used for the carriage of goods in connection with a business.

The tachograph is a legally mandated recording device for most lorries used in the carriage of goods. EU Regulation 165/2014 (retained in GB law) requires all goods vehicles above 3.5 tonnes GVW used on public roads to be fitted with an approved and calibrated tachograph. Tachographs must be calibrated by an approved workshop every two years. When a lorry changes hands, the seller should pass all available tachograph calibration certificates to the buyer, as the Traffic Commissioner may require evidence of calibration records when the vehicle is added to an operator licence.

HGV sales frequently involve outstanding hire purchase, lease purchase, or conditional sale finance. Under the principle nemo dat quod non habet, a finance company that has provided HP or conditional sale finance retains legal title to the vehicle even if it is sold to a third party. A buyer who purchases an HGV with undisclosed finance may have the vehicle repossessed. An HPI (Hire Purchase Information) check using the vehicle's registration number and VIN is therefore essential before any HGV purchase.

A Lorry / HGV Bill of Sale is appropriate in every transaction involving the sale and transfer of a lorry or other heavy goods vehicle in England and Wales, whether between two transport businesses, between a dealer and a fleet operator, or in any other commercial or private HGV transaction.

Fleet disposals and remarketing are the most common use case. Transport and logistics companies regularly dispose of ageing or surplus HGVs through trade auctions, dealer remarketing, or direct sale to other operators. In each case, a written bill of sale records the precise details of the transaction and protects both the seller and the purchaser. It is particularly important for fleet disposals because the seller's fleet operator licence, operator licence reference, and the operator's Centre of Operator Licensing (DVSA) history are all relevant to the vehicle's commercial history.

Owner-driver and small haulier transactions — where an individual haulier sells their truck directly to another — equally require a written bill of sale. These private HGV sales lack the trading standards protections of a regulated dealer transaction and are governed solely by the agreed contractual terms and the Sale of Goods Act 1979. In a private HGV sale, the Buyer has no Consumer Rights Act 2015 protections unless the Seller is a motor trader.

Dealer-to-operator transactions — where a commercial vehicle dealer sells a used HGV to a transport company — should always be supported by a detailed bill of sale confirming the vehicle's condition, annual test status, tachograph records, mileage certification, and any warranty provided. Where the dealer is a VAT-registered business, the bill of sale should also record the VAT position (whether the price is inclusive or exclusive of VAT).

Insurance write-off HGV sales — where a lorry has been categorised as S (structurally damaged but repairable) or N (non-structurally damaged but not economical to repair) following an insurance claim — require specific disclosure of the write-off category, the nature of damage, and any repairs carried out. The bill of sale should clearly record the write-off status so the Buyer is fully informed.

Estate and probate HGV disposals — where the executor of a deceased owner's estate sells a commercial vehicle — require a bill of sale to record the executor's authority and establish the chain of title. This is particularly important for sole trader hauliers who may not have separate company vehicle ownership records.

Finance settlement sales — where an HGV is sold subject to outstanding HP or lease purchase finance — require the bill of sale to record the finance details, the lender's name and account reference, and the Seller's undertaking to discharge the finance from the sale proceeds before or on completion. The bill of sale should condition the transfer of title on the discharge of all outstanding finance.

A well-drafted Lorry / HGV Bill of Sale for England and Wales should contain the following essential elements to provide a clear record of the transaction and protect both parties.

Party details: Full legal names and registered addresses (including UK postcodes) of both Seller and Buyer. If either party is a company, record the registered company name and address. The Seller's name must match the name recorded as registered keeper on the V5C logbook.

Vehicle identification: Registration number (VRM), 17-character VIN or chassis number, engine number, make, model, year of manufacture, body type, and gross vehicle weight in kilograms as recorded on the V5C and manufacturer's plate. These fields uniquely identify the specific HGV and prevent disputes about which vehicle was sold.

DVSA annual test status: The expiry date of the current annual roadworthiness test certificate ('HGV MOT'). A lorry cannot lawfully be driven on a public road in the UK without a valid annual test certificate. The Buyer should independently verify the test status at check-vehicle-recall.service.gov.uk before completion.

Operator licence reference: The operator licence reference number (e.g. OB1234567) under which the vehicle has been operated. The Buyer must notify the Traffic Commissioner to add the vehicle to its operator licence before commercial use. The seller's operator licence is personal and is not transferred on the sale.

Mileage certification: The odometer reading in miles at the time of sale, with the Seller's certification that the reading is accurate and the odometer has not been tampered with. Odometer fraud is a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Fraud Act 2006.

Tachograph records: Confirmation of whether tachograph calibration certificates and records are included. The tachograph must be calibrated every two years by a DVSA-approved workshop under EU Regulation 165/2014. Passing calibration records to the Buyer is important for operator licence compliance.

Condition and defect disclosure: The overall condition of the lorry and disclosure of all known mechanical, structural, or cosmetic defects. Concealing known material defects may expose the Seller to liability under the Misrepresentation Act 1967.

Purchase price and payment: The agreed sale price in pounds sterling, the payment method, any deposit paid on signing, and the date by which the balance is due. CHAPS or Faster Payments bank transfer is recommended. Title passes on receipt of cleared funds.

V5C transfer and DVLA notification: Whether the V5C is handed to the Buyer and confirmation of each party's obligation to notify the DVLA of the change of registered keeper.

Signatures: Both parties should sign the document with full names, company titles where applicable, and the date of execution.