Odometer Disclosure Requirements for Vehicle Sales

Federal law (49 U.S.C. § 32705, the Truth in Mileage Act) requires sellers to disclose the odometer reading on any vehicle under 10 model years old with a GVWR under 16,000 lbs. False disclosure is a federal offense carrying civil liability and fines up to $10,000 per violation.

What Federal Law Requires

Under 49 U.S.C. § 32705 and its implementing regulations at 49 C.F.R. Part 580, every transferor (seller) of a motor vehicle must provide written odometer disclosure to the transferee (buyer) at the time of transfer. The disclosure must state: (1) the odometer reading at the time of transfer, (2) whether the reading is accurate, and (3) whether the seller knows the odometer has been tampered with or has exceeded its mechanical limits.

Vehicles Covered

All passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs under 10 model years old
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under 16,000 lbs
Both private sales and dealer sales are covered
Applies to both original titles and duplicate/replacement titles

Vehicles Exempt From Federal Odometer Disclosure

Vehicles 10 or more model years old (e.g., a 2026 sale of a 2016 or older vehicle)
Vehicles with a GVWR over 16,000 lbs (heavy trucks, buses, RVs)
New vehicles transferred before the first retail sale
Vehicles sold directly to manufacturers for resale

What the Disclosure Must Include

Current odometer reading in miles (or kilometers for Canadian-market vehicles)
One of three certifications: (A) reading is accurate, (B) mileage exceeds odometer mechanical limit, or (C) odometer is broken/not to be relied upon
Seller's printed name and signature
Buyer's printed name and signature acknowledging receipt
Date of transfer
Vehicle description: year, make, model, and VIN

Penalties for Odometer Fraud

Falsifying an odometer disclosure is a federal crime under 49 U.S.C. § 32709. Civil penalties are $1,500 or three times the actual damages, whichever is greater. Criminal penalties include fines up to $10,000 and up to 3 years imprisonment per violation. State laws add additional penalties — many states treat odometer fraud as a felony with up to $10,000 in additional fines.

How to create a bill of sale

Determine whether the vehicle is subject to federal odometer disclosure (under 10 model years old, GVWR under 16,000 lbs).
Record the current odometer reading in miles at the time of the sale.
Select the correct certification: accurate reading, exceeds mechanical limits, or odometer not reliable.
Enter the vehicle description: year, make, model, and full 17-character VIN.
Both seller and buyer print their names and sign the odometer disclosure section.
Include the disclosure on the back of the title or as a dedicated section on the bill of sale.

Frequently asked questions

What if the odometer is broken or inaccurate?

The seller must disclose that the odometer reading is not reliable by selecting the appropriate certification on the disclosure form. Write the last known reading and note "ODOMETER NOT ACTUAL MILEAGE" or "EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS" as applicable. Selling a vehicle with a known odometer discrepancy without disclosure is a federal offense.

Is odometer disclosure required for motorcycles?

No. Federal odometer disclosure requirements under 49 U.S.C. § 32705 apply to motor vehicles — a category that excludes motorcycles by federal definition. However, some states impose their own odometer disclosure rules for motorcycles. Check your state DMV for state-specific requirements.

Where does the odometer disclosure go on the bill of sale?

Most modern vehicle titles include a printed odometer disclosure section on the back of the title that the seller completes at the time of signing. For vehicles where the title lacks this section (typically older vehicles), a separate Form OD-007 or equivalent state form is required, or the disclosure can be included as a numbered field on the bill of sale itself.

Do I need odometer disclosure for a 15-year-old car?

No. Federal law exempts vehicles 10 or more model years old from the mandatory odometer disclosure requirement. However, voluntarily disclosing the mileage is still recommended as it adds transparency and reduces the risk of post-sale disputes.

What is the 10-year model year rule exactly?

The 10-year exemption is calculated from the model year of the vehicle, not the calendar year of manufacture. For a sale taking place in 2026, vehicles with a 2016 or earlier model year are exempt. A 2017 model year vehicle sold in 2026 is still within the 10-year window and requires disclosure.

Create a Bill of Sale With Odometer Disclosure

Our form includes a federal-compliant odometer disclosure section built in — complete it in minutes and download as PDF.

Create Bill of Sale