SellCarAdvisor is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. How We Work.
The bottom line: An odometer disclosure statement is a legal document that records a vehicle’s exact mileage when ownership changes hands. It protects buyers from fraud and protects sellers from future liability.
In most states, this disclosure is made directly on the vehicle’s title. A separate form is only required in specific situations, like when the title is held by a lender, has been lost, or comes from a state that doesn’t include an odometer section on its titles.
Federal law requires disclosure for most vehicles under 16,000 pounds. For model year 2011 and newer vehicles, disclosure is required until the vehicle is 20 years old. Vehicles from 2010 and older are now fully exempt.
False statements can result in civil damages of $10,000 or more, potential imprisonment, and a “mileage unknown” brand on the title that lowers the vehicle’s value. When you’re ready to sell, compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to see what your car is worth today.
Key Takeaways
- An odometer disclosure statement records the exact mileage on a vehicle at the time of sale, gift, or transfer.
- For most transfers, the odometer section printed on the back of the title counts as the disclosure. No separate form is needed.
- Vehicles from model year 2011 and newer require disclosure until they reach 20 years of age (a federal rule that took effect January 1, 2021).
- Vehicles from model year 2010 and older are now fully exempt. No disclosure is required when selling them.
- A few states, including New York, don’t print an odometer section on their titles and always require a separate form.
- Intentionally falsifying a disclosure can trigger federal civil damages of $10,000 or more and potential criminal penalties.
Compare Instant Offers
What Is an Odometer Disclosure Statement?
An odometer disclosure statement is a legal document that records the exact mileage on a vehicle at the moment it changes ownership. Every time a car is sold, gifted, or transferred, you must declare the current odometer reading and confirm whether it reflects the actual mileage.
The federal Truth in Mileage Act of 1986 created this requirement. It established national rules for tracking vehicle mileage and made disclosure mandatory for most transfers. The law was designed to protect buyers from purchasing vehicles with tampered odometers.
The disclosure creates an official mileage record that follows the vehicle through its history. It also protects sellers from being blamed later if a new owner claims the odometer was tampered with before the sale.
Where Is the Odometer Disclosure Statement Made?
Standard Disclosure on the Title
For most vehicle sales, the odometer disclosure is made directly on the car title itself. Since 1990, most states have included a dedicated odometer disclosure section on their titles, usually printed on the back.
This section has a space for the mileage reading, checkboxes to indicate whether the reading is accurate or has exceeded the odometer’s mechanical limits, and signature lines for both buyer and seller. When both parties sign the title, no additional form is needed.
Note: In most standard transfers, completing the odometer section on the title is all you need to do.
When Do You Need a Separate Odometer Form?
A separate form is required in certain situations where the title either can’t be signed or doesn’t have an odometer section.
- Title held by a lender: When a bank or finance company holds the physical title due to an outstanding loan, a separate form and often a secure power of attorney are required.
- Lost or damaged title: If the original title is missing, a separate odometer form is required along with a replacement title application.
- Out-of-state or older titles: If the title is from another state or predates the 1990 redesign, it may lack a federal-compliant odometer section, requiring a separate form.
- Dealer reassignments: When a vehicle has been sold through multiple dealers and the title’s reassignment spaces are filled, dealers use separate reassignment forms that include odometer disclosures.
- Error corrections: If the original disclosure contained a mistake, many states require a special correction form or affidavit to fix it.
- Electronic titles: As states move to electronic titling systems, separate electronic or paper odometer forms may be required since there’s no physical title to sign.
- States without an odometer section on the title: New York requires Form MV-103 for every transfer. New Jersey and Hawaii also commonly require separate forms.
When Is Odometer Disclosure Required?
Disclosure is required for the following types of transfers: selling to a private buyer, trading in at a dealership, gifting to another person, donating to a charity, and transferring after the owner’s death.
Whether disclosure is required depends on the vehicle’s age. For model year 2011 and newer vehicles, disclosure is required until the vehicle is 20 years old. Vehicles from model year 2010 and older are now fully exempt from the federal requirement. Only vehicles under 16,000 pounds GVWR are covered by federal disclosure rules.
When Is Odometer Disclosure NOT Required?
You don’t need to provide an odometer disclosure for exempt vehicles based on age (model year 2010 and older), vehicles over 16,000 pounds GVWR, non-self-propelled vehicles like trailers, and new vehicles transferred between dealers before the first retail sale.
Some states add their own exemptions. Illinois exempts motorcycles, mopeds, and antique vehicles. Minnesota also exempts motorcycles. A few states exempt vehicles being dismantled or sold for salvage. Requirements vary, so confirm your state’s specific rules before assuming a vehicle is exempt.
What’s on the Odometer Disclosure Form?
A properly completed odometer disclosure statement contains these fields:
| Field | What to Include | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle information | Make, model, year, body type, and VIN | Must match the title exactly |
| Odometer reading | Exact mileage in whole numbers only | Do not include tenths of a mile |
| Accuracy statement | Check box: actual mileage, exceeds mechanical limits, or not actual mileage | “Exceeds limits” applies when the odometer has rolled over |
| Seller details | Full legal name, address, and signature | Must use blue or black ink |
| Buyer details | Full legal name, address, and signature | Both parties must sign |
| Transfer date | The actual date ownership changed | Must match the sale date on the bill of sale |
| Warning statement | Federal and state penalty notice | Pre-printed on official forms |
Odometer Disclosure Requirements by State
Most states follow the federal framework and include an odometer disclosure section on the vehicle title. A few states, including New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii, require a separate form for every transfer. Some states also set stricter age exemptions than the federal standard. Florida, Kansas, and Arkansas, for example, still use a 10-year exemption threshold rather than the federal 20-year rule for newer vehicles.
Requirements for fees, forms, and exact steps vary by state. Your state’s DMV website is the best source for the current form names and filing process.
Learn more: List of All 50 State DMV Websites, with direct links to each state’s official forms and requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These errors are easy to make and can delay or invalidate your title transfer:
| Mistake | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Including tenths of miles | Only whole miles are accepted. No decimal points |
| Missing a signature | Both buyer and seller must sign. One missing signature voids the form |
| Wrong date | Must reflect the actual transfer date, not the signing date |
| Using pencil | Always use blue or black ink. Pencil is not accepted |
| Making corrections or cross-outs | Erasures can invalidate the form. Start fresh if you make an error |
| Leaving vehicle info blank | All fields must be completed. A partial form will be rejected |
| Assuming an older car is exempt | Don’t assume. Verify your state’s current age exemption threshold before skipping the disclosure |
How to Complete the Form
Complete the form at the time of sale, while both parties are present. Use blue or black ink, and don’t leave any fields blank.
- Get the correct form. For most transfers, use the odometer section on the back of the title. If you need a separate form, get it from your state’s DMV website.
- Write the exact odometer reading in whole miles, with no decimal. Do not estimate.
- Check the appropriate box. Mark “actual mileage” if the reading is accurate. Mark “exceeds mechanical limits” if the odometer has rolled over. Mark “not actual mileage” if the odometer is broken or known to be inaccurate.
- Fill in all vehicle details. Include the VIN, make, model, year, and body type exactly as they appear on the title.
- Seller signs and prints their name. Include your full legal address.
- Buyer signs and prints their name. Include their full legal address.
- Enter the transfer date. Use the actual date ownership changed.
- Make copies. Both parties should keep a copy for at least 5 years.
Special Situations
Digital odometers: The same rules apply. Record the reading exactly as displayed on the dash, ignoring tenths.
Broken odometer: Check the “not actual mileage” box and note the issue in any space the form provides. Get the odometer repaired and properly set as soon as possible after the sale.
Leased vehicles: The lessee must provide a disclosure to the lessor when returning the car at lease end. The lessor then makes a disclosure to the next buyer.
Interstate transfers: The originating state’s rules apply for completing the form. If a vehicle was exempt from disclosure in its home state but is transferred to a state following stricter rules, the receiving state may brand the title as “not actual mileage,” which can lower the vehicle’s resale value.
Private sales: The disclosure is part of the standard paperwork. Pair it with a bill of sale for a complete private sale record.
What Happens If You Skip or Falsify the Disclosure?
If the disclosure is simply missing, the DMV won’t process the title transfer. The buyer can’t register the car until the form is completed. Both parties need to sign a separate disclosure form and the buyer submits it with their title application.
Intentionally falsifying a disclosure is a federal offense. Civil damages under federal law start at $10,000 or three times the buyer’s actual damages, whichever is greater. Criminal penalties can include fines and up to three years in prison. A “mileage unknown” brand may also be placed on the title, which reduces what the car can sell for in the future.
Compare Instant Offers
Compare Instant Offers
Frequently Asked Questions About Odometer Disclosure Statements
Do I need an odometer disclosure statement for a 2010 or older vehicle?
No. As of 2026, all model year 2010 and older vehicles have passed the 10-year federal exemption threshold and no longer require an odometer disclosure. If your state has a different rule, check your state’s DMV website to confirm.
What is the difference between an odometer disclosure and a bill of sale?
These are two separate documents. An odometer disclosure records only the vehicle’s mileage at the time of transfer and is a federal legal requirement. A bill of sale is a broader document that records the sale price, both parties’ information, and the terms of the sale. Most states don’t require a bill of sale by law, but it’s strongly recommended for private sales.
Learn more: What Is a Bill of Sale for a Car?
What happens if the odometer has rolled over to zero?
If the odometer has exceeded its mechanical limit and reset to zero, check the “exceeds mechanical limits” box on the disclosure form. Record the current reading shown on the dash. This tells the buyer that the actual total mileage is higher than what the odometer displays.
Does a dealer sale require an odometer disclosure?
Yes. Dealers are required to complete an odometer disclosure on every non-exempt vehicle they buy or sell. Most dealers handle this as part of their standard title paperwork. If a dealer purchases your car, they’ll typically include the disclosure in the documents you sign at pickup or delivery.
Can I complete an odometer disclosure after the sale is done?
Yes, if it was accidentally skipped. Both parties need to sign a standalone odometer disclosure form. Send it to the buyer via certified mail for their signature. The buyer then submits it with their title application. Document all communication in case there are questions later. A blank or missing disclosure will prevent the buyer from registering the vehicle.
Article Update History
Age exemption thresholds confirmed current, with 2010 and older vehicles fully exempt and the 20-year rule for 2011 and newer vehicles still in effect. Civil penalty amounts corrected to reflect current federal law.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.