Odometer Disclosure Statements are a legally required part of most vehicle sales in the US. Clarity and precision in the document are important so that the information is properly documented and legally compliant.
This ready-to-use Odometer Disclosure Statement template by WordLayouts provides a clear and structured way to complete the required disclosure, helping users maintain accuracy throughout the transaction process.
Continue reading to find out more about it and what is included in the template.
What is an Odometer Disclosure Form?
An odometer disclosure statement is a document used to record a vehicle’s mileage at the time it is transferred from one owner to another. It confirms the number of miles shown on the odometer and helps establish whether the reading is accurate, has exceeded mechanical limits, or may not reflect the vehicle’s actual mileage.
In most vehicle sales, this statement must be completed by the seller and acknowledged by the buyer as part of the ownership transfer process.
It is designed to provide transparency in vehicle transactions and help prevent odometer fraud, such as tampering or mileage rollback.
Are Mileage Disclosure Statements Required by Law?
Under the Federal Truth in Mileage Act (1986), all vehicle transfers (except for a few exemptions) must include an accurate odometer reading. This goes for both private and dealer sales.
An odometer statement is required under U.S. federal law for any motorized vehicle under 10 years old and weighing less than 16,000 lbs, such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, and similar vehicles titled for road use.
They are not required for:
- Vehicles older than 10 years
- Vehicles over 16,000 pounds
- Non-motorized vehicles (like trailers or bicycles)
- Certain antique or classic cars
Note that in some states, this disclosure is included in the vehicle bill of sale itself. In others, it’s a separate form that must accompany the bill of sale.
Check out these templates for a bill of sale document:
- Vehicle Bill of Sale
- Trailer Bill of Sale
- Tractor Bill of Sale
- Semi Truck Bill of Sale
- Boat Bill of Sale
What’s Included in an Odometer Statement?
An odometer disclosure statement usually contains the following:
- The vehicle details (make, model, year, VIN)
- The exact odometer reading at the time of sale
- A certification that the reading reflects the vehicle’s actual mileage (or a note if it doesn’t)
- Names and signatures of the buyer
- Name and signature of the seller
Odometer Disclosure Form—An Overview
Our Odometer Disclosure Statement template is designed to help you meet the legal requirements in a clear, structured, and easy-to-complete format.
Buyer and seller information
The form begins by identifying both parties involved in the transaction. It includes space for:
- Full names of the seller and buyer
- Residential or business addresses
This ensures that all parties are clearly documented for legal and recordkeeping purposes.
Vehicle identification details
To accurately identify the vehicle being transferred, the form includes key vehicle information such as:
- Year, make, and model
- Body type
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Last registered plate state and plate number
These details help ensure that the disclosure is tied to the correct vehicle.
Odometer mileage disclosure
The seller is required to enter the vehicle’s current odometer reading at the time of sale. This declared mileage serves as the official record of the vehicle’s usage at the point of transfer.
The seller also certifies, to the best of their knowledge, whether the mileage is:
- Actual mileage of the vehicle
- Beyond the mechanical limits of the odometer
- Inaccurate due to a discrepancy or potential tampering
The buyer confirms receipt and review of the odometer disclosure. This acknowledgment ensures that both parties agree on the recorded mileage at the time of transfer.
Signatures and date
The form concludes with signature fields for the seller (and buyer, where applicable), along with the date of completion. This final step validates the document and confirms mutual agreement between both parties.
Federal exemptions
At the end of the template, we have also included a section outlining federal exemptions under 49 U.S.C. § 32705 and related regulations. This makes it easy to understand when an odometer disclosure statement is not required, including cases such as older vehicles, trailers, and specific government or manufacturer transfers.
A premade form saves you the time and trouble of researching legal requirements and drafting a document from scratch.
Do I Need to Notarize an Odometer Disclosure Statement?
In some states (like Louisiana, Montana, or Nebraska), you may need your bills of sale and odometer disclosures to be notarized to make the transaction official.
Is a notarized bill of sale more reliable as a document than a non-notarized one? Read our full post on why notarized bills are preferred, when they’re mandatory, and how to get one done!
Verifying the mileage
Mileage can be checked against historical records using a vehicle history report from providers such as Carfax or Bumper. These reports help confirm whether the odometer reading matches previous records or indicates any potential inconsistencies.
To Sum Up…
You can think of an ODD as a car’s truth certificate. Being a documentary requirement of most vehicle sales or transfers, it plays a crucial role in preventing odometer fraud or other delays or losses caused after the sale, especially for the buyer.
Download our premade Odometer Disclosure Statement to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws.
