Buying a car privately?

Know what you are paying for before you transfer the money.

Ask the seller to record the vehicle identity, finance, third-party claims, condition, accident history and documents to be handed over. Review the draft and complete your own checks before committing.

  • Put important seller disclosures in writing
  • Record the price, payment and handover conditions
  • Keep a signed record of the vehicle you agreed to buy

Create, review and share your draft before payment

DRAFT AGREEMENT

SigSwiftAGREEMENT

Motor Vehicle Sale Agreement

Prepared from your answers · Designed for private sales in Ireland

Vehicle
Registration, VIN and odometer
Payment
Price and payment method
Condition
Inspection and disclosures
Handover
Date, location and documents
A clear record before the exchange

Record what was disclosed, what will be paid and when ownership and risk pass.

Seller signatureBuyer signature

Illustrative preview · Your agreement is created from your answers

PROTECTIONS IN YOUR AGREEMENT

Ask the questions that matter before you pay.

A signed record cannot replace independent checks, but it can make the seller's disclosures and promises clear.

Vehicle identity and odometer Record the registration, VIN, engine number and distance shown.
How this protects you as the buyer

You can compare the signed details with the vehicle and your independent history checks.

Finance and third-party rights Require outstanding finance or ownership claims to be disclosed and resolved.
How this protects you as the buyer

Completion is conditional on disclosed finance, liens or ownership claims being resolved to your reasonable satisfaction.

Accidents, defects and write-off history Put known material history into the agreement.
How this protects you as the buyer

The seller's answers become part of the signed record you relied on when deciding whether to buy.

Inspection rights Preserve the opportunity to inspect, test drive and commission checks.
How this protects you as the buyer

You are prompted to carry out mechanical and history checks rather than relying only on the advert or conversation.

Documents and transfer List the keys, registration record, certificates and service documents due at handover.
How this protects you as the buyer

You can see what must be provided and how both parties will complete the registered-ownership process.

Review the draft alongside your finance, history, identity and mechanical checks.

A written agreement records the transaction but does not guarantee the vehicle's condition or replace independent checks.

A private sale can turn on what was said before handover.

A written agreement records the facts while they are still clear to both parties.

Without a clear written record

  • Disagreement about the price or whether payment arrived
  • Uncertainty about defects, accident history or finance
  • No shared record of what documents and keys were handed over
  • Confusion about when ownership and responsibility passed

With a SigSwift agreement

  • Vehicle details and the agreed price are recorded
  • Known history, defects and third-party rights can be disclosed
  • Payment and handover conditions are set out in advance
  • Both parties sign and retain the same completed record

Is this the right agreement for your sale?

Suitable for

A private individual selling their own vehicle to another private individual.

A buyer and seller who want to document the condition, payment and handover arrangements.

Things to check first

It is not intended to remove mandatory consumer rights where the seller is acting as a trader.

Carry out appropriate finance, history, identity and mechanical checks before proceeding.

FROM AGREEMENT TO HANDOVER

Create the record before money or keys change hands

  1. 1

    Describe the vehicle

    Add its identifying details, odometer reading and condition.

  2. 2

    Record the deal

    Set the price, payment method, handover and included documents.

  3. 3

    Share and review

    Let the other party check the disclosures and propose changes.

  4. 4

    Pay and sign online

    When the draft is final, complete the purchase and invite both parties to sign.

Create My Shareable Draft Create, review and share before payment

WHY SIGSWIFT

More than a handwritten receipt

Create a tailored agreement and keep the completed document with supporting signing evidence.

Detailed vehicle record

Capture identifying details, payment, condition, disclosures and handover.

Draft before committing

Share the proposed terms while there is still time to clarify questions.

Online signatures

Both parties can sign from a phone, tablet or computer.

Evidence to retain

Keep the signed agreement and its supporting audit record.

YOUR AGREEMENT + SUPPORTING SIGNING RECORD

SigSwiftAGREEMENT

Motor Vehicle Sale Agreement

Prepared from your answers · Designed for private sales in Ireland

Vehicle
Registration, VIN and odometer
Payment
Price and payment method
Condition
Inspection and disclosures
Handover
Date, location and documents
A clear record before the exchange

Record what was disclosed, what will be paid and when ownership and risk pass.

Seller signatureBuyer signature
SigSwift

Supporting audit certificate

Records the electronic consent, signing activity and document integrity associated with the completed agreement.

Review-stage record
The final review snapshot is locked before payment
Signer activity
Consent and signature events are associated with each party
Document integrity
SHA-256 hashes support integrity checks
Completion record
The agreement lifecycle is recorded

Supporting evidence does not replace appropriate vehicle, identity, finance or legal checks.

Illustrative previews. Your agreement depends on the answers and circumstances selected.

A LITTLE MORE CLARITY

Frequently asked questions

Plain-English answers about recording a private vehicle sale.

Can either party create the draft?

Yes. The seller or buyer can create the draft and share it with the other party before either decides to proceed.

Does the agreement replace a vehicle-history or finance check?

No. The agreement records the seller's disclosures and the parties' terms, but the buyer should still carry out appropriate independent checks.

When should the seller release the vehicle?

The agreement provides that the seller should not release the vehicle or keys until the full purchase price has been received in cleared funds.

Can photographs form part of the record?

The agreement can include vehicle-condition photographs, helping both parties retain evidence of the vehicle's appearance at the time of sale.

Do we need a printer?

No. Both parties can review and sign online using a phone, tablet or computer.

Are electronic signatures recognised in Ireland?

Yes. In Ireland, sections 13 and 19 of the Electronic Commerce Act 2000 recognise the use of electronic signatures and electronic contracts, subject to the applicable conditions, including consent. At EU level, Article 25(1) of Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 (the eIDAS Regulation), as amended, provides that an electronic signature cannot be denied legal effect or admissibility as evidence solely because it is electronic or is not a qualified electronic signature. SigSwift records each party’s consent to use electronic records and signatures and their active signing event. The usual requirements for forming an agreement still apply, and some specialised documents may require additional formalities.

Carry out appropriate independent checks and seek professional advice where the ownership, condition or legal position is unclear.

Private Motor Vehicle Sale Agreement

Record the deal before the handover.

Create a draft, share it with the other party and agree the vehicle details, disclosures, payment and handover before signing online.

€25 including VAT when your draft is final Create My Shareable Draft Create, review and share before payment