Free Delaware Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Delaware vehicle transfers are governed by the federal Truth in Mileage Act (TIMA), 49 U.S.C. § 32705, requiring sellers to disclose the odometer reading at every non-exempt transfer. Vehicles 25 or more model years old (2001 or older in 2026) or with a GVWR above 16,000 lbs are exempt. Delaware incorporates odometer disclosure into the Certificate of Title; the seller and buyer each sign the odometer section before the title is submitted to a Delaware DMV office for transfer.
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Odometer disclosure is a federal requirement under 49 CFR §580, not just a best practice — and falsifying mileage is a federal crime. Our guide explains exactly what each field requires, when the 10-year exemption applies, and what to do if the odometer has rolled over. Read: Odometer Disclosure Statement: What It Is & What to Write →
Delaware Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Delaware DMV
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.0425%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Delaware Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Determine whether disclosure is required: vehicle must be 2002 or newer model year and GVWR 16,000 lbs or under.
- Record the exact odometer reading on the day of the transaction.
- Choose and mark the correct certification on the Delaware title: 'Actual mileage', 'Exceeds mechanical limits', or 'Not actual mileage'.
- Seller completes and signs the odometer disclosure section on the Delaware Certificate of Title.
- Buyer countersigns to acknowledge the disclosed mileage reading.
- Both parties retain photocopies before submitting the title.
- Submit title transfer to a Delaware DMV office; Delaware charges a 4.25% document fee (transfer tax) at the time of transfer.
Common Pitfalls
- Relying on an 'as-is' clause to avoid odometer disclosure — federal TIMA imposes the obligation independent of any sale terms.
- Forgetting that there are exactly three permissible certification choices; leaving the type blank invalidates the disclosure.
- Neglecting Delaware's vehicle safety inspection requirement for the buyer — while not an odometer item, failure to inspect before registration can delay the process.
- Making corrections on the title without using proper DMV procedures — altered titles are void in Delaware.
- Not realizing that the 4.25% document fee is calculated on the greater of the sale price or clean trade-in book value.
Delaware Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Is odometer disclosure required for a 2001 model-year vehicle sold in Delaware in 2026?
No. A 2001 model-year vehicle is 25 years old in 2026 and qualifies for the federal exemption. Sellers may still disclose voluntarily for buyer confidence.
What if the odometer has been replaced and the replacement unit shows lower mileage?
Select 'Not actual mileage' and note in the bill of sale that the odometer was replaced at a specified mileage or date and may not reflect total accumulated miles.
Does Delaware require a separate odometer disclosure form for private sellers?
No. The disclosure is integrated into the Delaware Certificate of Title. Private sellers complete the title's odometer section rather than a separate state form.
What penalties apply for odometer tampering in Delaware?
Federal law provides criminal penalties up to $10,000 per violation and/or 3 years imprisonment. Civil law allows the buyer to recover triple actual damages, minimum $1,500, plus legal fees under 49 U.S.C. § 32710.