When should I use the odometer exempt page?
Use this page when your van sale in Illinois fits a odometer exempt scenario. It walks you through the specific disclosures and details that apply to this type of transaction.
Odometer exempt — Illinois
Illinois Van bill of sale for odometer exempt
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What to know about odometer exempt sales in Illinois
Under 49 CFR § 580.17 as amended in 2021, the age exemption is two-tier: vehicles of model year 2010 or older are exempt (the old 10-year rule), but model year 2011 and newer vehicles are exempt only once they are 20 or more model years old — a 2011-or-newer vehicle that is merely 10+ years old still requires full odometer disclosure. You still must not knowingly falsify mileage. Even if federally exempt, some states have their own mileage disclosure requirements — document the known odometer reading in the bill of sale regardless.
What to include in your bill of sale
- Full legal names and addresses for both buyer and seller.
- Van make, model, year, VIN, and current mileage.
- Agreed sale price, payment method, and transaction date.
- Any odometer exempt-specific disclosures required in Illinois.
Seller guidance
For an exempt vehicle, mark 'Exempt' in the odometer section of the title's Assignment of Title panel — no mileage figure is required. If the title cannot accommodate the disclosure, use Form VSD 333 instead. Dealers and distributors are required under 49 CFR § 580.8 to retain odometer disclosure statements for at least five years; no equivalent retention period is imposed by statute on private sellers, though retaining a copy is strongly advised.
Buyer guidance
Confirm the vehicle's model year and age before relying on an exempt claim: MY 2010 and older are exempt once 10 years old under both state and federal law; MY 2011 and newer require disclosure until 20 model years old under 49 CFR § 580.17 regardless of the Illinois flat statutory threshold. Motorcycles, mopeds, and antique vehicles are categorically exempt under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(f) without regard to age.
Illinois-Specific Note
Illinois codifies its own odometer exemption scheme under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1. The state statute at subsection (d)(3) exempts a vehicle that is 10 years old or older — a flat age threshold; the Illinois legislature has not amended this provision to adopt the federal tiered model-year framework. For MY 2011 and newer vehicles, however, the NHTSA final rule amending 49 CFR § 580.17 (effective January 1, 2021) requires odometer disclosure for 20 model years; the state flat 10-year threshold does not override this federal disclosure requirement for those vehicles. MY 2010 and older vehicles remain exempt at 10 years old under both state and federal law. Additional exempt categories under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(d) include vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 lbs, non-self-propelled vehicles, vehicles manufactured without an odometer, and vehicles sold directly by the manufacturer to any agency of the United States. A distinct Illinois-specific categorical exemption under subsection (f) covers motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, antique vehicles, and expanded-use antique vehicles regardless of model year. A seller who provides a false odometer statement with intent to defraud faces treble damages or $1,500, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees and court costs under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(e).
Legal considerations
Illinois codifies its own odometer exemption scheme under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1. The state statute at subsection (d)(3) exempts a vehicle that is 10 years old or older — a flat age threshold; the Illinois legislature has not amended this provision to adopt the federal tiered model-year framework. For MY 2011 and newer vehicles, however, the NHTSA final rule amending 49 CFR § 580.17 (effective January 1, 2021) requires odometer disclosure for 20 model years; the state flat 10-year threshold does not override this federal disclosure requirement for those vehicles. MY 2010 and older vehicles remain exempt at 10 years old under both state and federal law. Additional exempt categories under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(d) include vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 lbs, non-self-propelled vehicles, vehicles manufactured without an odometer, and vehicles sold directly by the manufacturer to any agency of the United States. A distinct Illinois-specific categorical exemption under subsection (f) covers motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, antique vehicles, and expanded-use antique vehicles regardless of model year. A seller who provides a false odometer statement with intent to defraud faces treble damages or $1,500, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees and court costs under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(e).
Illinois Van transfer fees and requirements
In Illinois, the title transfer fee is $150 and registration costs $151 per year. Van sales are subject to 6.25% state tax on private sales; local taxes may add 1-4%. Illinois does not require notarization for private-party van transfers. Emission testing is required in Illinois — verify the van passes before completing the sale.
- Emissions testing required in Chicagoland and Metro-East St. Louis areas
- Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price
- Title transfer within 20 days of sale
- RUT-50 form required for private party purchases
Illinois sales tax on van purchases
Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. 6.25% state plus 1–4% local taxes. Private-party van sales in Illinois are subject to sales tax. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket. The title transfer fee is $150.
Van market data and safety information
The most common van makes in private-party sales are Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Ford, Mercedes-Benz. Average private-party van prices range from $5,000–$35,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent van models is 4.1 out of 5 stars. Vans average 3 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Electrical, Power Train, Airbags.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used van
Before completing a van bill of sale in Illinois, verify these safety items:
- Test all sliding door mechanisms and automatic closing features
- Check rear entertainment system and climate controls if equipped
- Verify Stow ’n Go or fold-flat seating operation
- Inspect power liftgate struts and sensors
- Confirm all child-seat LATCH anchors in second and third rows
- Test rear A/C blower function on dual-zone systems
- Verify backup camera and parking sensors operate correctly
- Check all exterior lights including high-mount stop lamp
Van insurance and depreciation in Illinois
Minivans are among the cheapest vehicles to insure. Commercial van insurance costs 2–3x more. Minivans depreciate faster than SUVs — expect 50–60% loss over 5 years. Conversion vans with custom builds are harder to value. Peak season for private van sales is summer when families are looking for travel vehicles, with an average of 24 days on market.
Van registration and titling
Vans are classified as "Passenger vehicle (minivan) or Commercial vehicle (cargo/work van)" for registration purposes. Passenger vans under 16,000 lbs GVWR follow standard rules. 15-passenger vans and cargo vans over 10,000 lbs may have special registration requirements. Federal odometer disclosure is required for vans under 20 years old.
Safety tips for odometer exempt van transactions
When completing a odometer exempt van sale in Illinois, always verify the vehicle against NHTSA recall databases. The most common van recall categories are Electrical, Power Train, Airbags. Check recalls at NHTSA.gov/recalls before signing the bill of sale.
Checklist for odometer exempt van sale in Illinois
- Confirm the vehicle qualifies: model year 2010 or older, OR model year 2011+ and 20+ model years old, OR GVWR over 16,000 lbs
- Check your state's mileage disclosure rules — some exceed the federal minimum
- Record the actual known mileage in the bill of sale voluntarily
- Note on the bill of sale that odometer disclosure is exempt under 49 CFR § 580.17
- Retain a copy of the bill of sale showing the exempt-disclosure notation
- Mark 'Exempt' in the title's odometer field — do not leave blank or enter a mileage figure for a qualifying exempt vehicle
- Motorcycles, mopeds, antique vehicles, and expanded-use antique vehicles are categorically exempt under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1(f) regardless of model year
- MY 2011 and newer vehicles are subject to the federal 20-year disclosure requirement under 49 CFR § 580.17 regardless of the Illinois flat 10-year statutory threshold
- Dealers and distributors must retain odometer disclosure records for at least five years under 49 CFR § 580.8; no equivalent state retention period applies to private sellers under 625 ILCS 5/3-112.1
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Open Illinois Van bill of saleThe Private Vehicle Sale Market
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
Other Illinois van sale situations
Frequently asked questions
Why does the odometer exempt scenario have its own page?
Different sale scenarios — such as private party, dealer, or gifted transfers — have different documentation requirements. This page focuses on what buyers and sellers need for a odometer exempt transaction specifically.
What should be included in this bill of sale?
Include the buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers, sale price, date, signatures, and any notes specific to the odometer exempt transaction.
What are the Illinois fees for a odometer exempt van transfer?
Illinois charges a $150 title transfer fee. Registration costs $151 per year. Sales tax: 6.25% state tax on private sales; local taxes may add 1-4%. Notarization is not required for most transfers.
What van makes are most commonly sold in Illinois?
The most popular van makes in private-party sales are Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Ford, Mercedes-Benz. Average private-party prices range from $5,000–$35,000.
Do I pay sales tax on a odometer exempt van sale in Illinois?
Illinois has a 6.25% state sales tax rate. Private vehicle use tax applies based on purchase price bracket
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