Easy Bill of Sale

Odometer Disclosure Statement

Federal law requires sellers to state the mileage when most vehicles change hands. The vehicle bill of sale below includes the federal disclosure wording; enter the model year and it tells you whether the disclosure is required.

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1 Seller and buyer

2 The motor vehicle

We check the length and the check digit as you type.

Federal law requires an odometer disclosure for this vehicle (model year 2011 or newer, under 20 years old). How the rule works

3 Price and terms

Original · Seller

Vehicle Bill of Sale

I, __________________________ ("Seller"), of ________________________________, in exchange for the sum of $____________ (______________________________ dollars), paid by cash, the receipt of which is acknowledged, sell and transfer to __________________________ ("Buyer"), of ________________________________, the following motor vehicle:

Year______________
Make______________
Model______________
Body style______________
Color______________
VIN____________________________
Title number______________
Plate / registration no.______________

Odometer disclosure

Federal and state law require you to state the mileage upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment. I, the Seller, state that the odometer now reads ____________ miles and to the best of my knowledge it reflects:

☒ the actual mileage☐ mileage in excess of its mechanical limits☐ not the actual mileage (warning: odometer discrepancy)

Terms

The motor vehicle is sold "as is, where is", with no warranty, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The Buyer has had the opportunity to inspect it and accepts it in its present condition.

The Seller states that they are the lawful owner, that the motor vehicle is free of all liens, loans and encumbrances, and that they have the right to sell it.

Signed on ____________________.

Seller signatureBuyer signature
Seller printed nameBuyer printed name

The 20-year rule, visualised

Until 2020, vehicles 10 years and older were exempt. On January 1, 2021 NHTSA extended the window to 20 years, but only for model year 2011 and newer. Vehicles from 2010 and earlier kept their exemption. So the window of vehicles needing a disclosure grows each year until 2031, then slides forward.

Drag the sliders to test any vehicle and sale year.

Disclosure required

Model year 2015 is 2011 or newer and only 11 years old at sale, so the seller must disclose mileage. It becomes exempt in 2035.

Each square is a model year (2000–2030). Yellow squares need a disclosure if sold in 2026; grey squares are exempt. Watch the yellow window slide as you move the sale year.

How to fill in the disclosure

  1. Write the odometer reading exactly as displayed, without tenths.
  2. Check one box: actual mileage, exceeds mechanical limits (the odometer rolled over), or not the actual mileage (odometer replaced, broken or tampered with).
  3. Seller and buyer both print and sign. The buyer's signature confirms they received the statement.

Never check "actual mileage" if you're unsure. A false statement can bring civil damages of three times the loss or $10,000, whichever is more, under 49 U.S.C. 32710.

Questions people ask

What is an odometer disclosure statement?

A written statement from the seller giving the vehicle's mileage at the time of sale and whether it is accurate. It is required by the federal Truth in Mileage Act (49 U.S.C. 32705) and NHTSA rules in 49 CFR Part 580.

Which vehicles are exempt?

Vehicles model year 2010 and older; model year 2011 and newer once they are 20 years old; vehicles over 16,000 lbs GVWR; and new vehicles sold by a dealer to a fleet. Trailers have no odometer and are exempt.

Is the disclosure on the title enough?

In most states the title has an odometer section, and filling it in satisfies the rule. A separate statement is used when the title has no space for it or when the title is held by a lender. Recording it on the bill of sale as well is good practice.

What does "exceeds mechanical limits" mean?

Older five-digit odometers roll over after 99,999 miles. If the true mileage is higher than the display can show, check "exceeds mechanical limits".

Can odometer disclosure be signed electronically?

Yes, in states that have adopted NHTSA's electronic disclosure rule (effective 2019), through the state's approved system. Paper disclosures remain valid everywhere.