Free Illinois Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Illinois vehicle transfers are subject to the federal Truth in Mileage Act (TIMA), 49 U.S.C. § 32705, requiring odometer disclosure on all non-exempt transfers. Vehicles 25 or more model years old (2001 or older in 2026) and those with a GVWR above 16,000 lbs are exempt. Illinois captures the odometer disclosure on the Certificate of Title and also on Form RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction), which is required for most private-party sales; both documents must reflect consistent odometer information and carry the seller's and buyer's signatures.
Free PDF includes a small watermark at the bottom. Remove it for $4.99.
Illinois Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Illinois SOS
Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.0625%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Illinois Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Check whether the vehicle requires disclosure: 2002 or newer model year and GVWR 16,000 lbs or under.
- Read and record the exact odometer mileage on the date of the sale.
- Select the correct certification on the title's odometer section: 'Actual mileage', 'Exceeds mechanical limits', or 'Not actual mileage'.
- Seller completes, signs, and dates the odometer disclosure section on the Illinois Certificate of Title.
- Buyer countersigns the acknowledgment section on the title.
- Complete Illinois Form RUT-50 (Private Party Vehicle Use Tax Transaction) — the odometer reading on RUT-50 must match the title.
- Submit the title and RUT-50 to an Illinois Secretary of State facility within 30 days; the 6.25% use tax is paid with RUT-50.
- Both parties retain copies of the title and RUT-50.
Common Pitfalls
- Selling 'as-is' does not waive odometer disclosure obligations under federal TIMA or Illinois law.
- Entering inconsistent mileage figures on the title and on RUT-50 — the Secretary of State will flag the discrepancy and may delay the transfer.
- Missing the 30-day deadline for submitting the title and RUT-50; late filings incur penalties and interest on the use tax.
- Forgetting that Illinois requires Form RUT-50 in addition to the title — the title alone is not sufficient for private-party transfers.
- Leaving the certification type blank on the title; a blank odometer section causes rejection at the Secretary of State's office.
Illinois Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
What forms are needed for odometer disclosure on an Illinois private-party car sale?
Two documents: (1) the seller completes the odometer section on the Certificate of Title, and (2) both parties ensure the same mileage appears on Form RUT-50. Both are submitted together to the Secretary of State.
My 2001 truck — is odometer disclosure required in Illinois in 2026?
No. A 2001 model-year vehicle is 25 years old in 2026 and meets the federal exemption. However, you should still complete RUT-50 for the use-tax transaction.
What if my odometer shows fewer miles than the title history reflects?
Select 'Not actual mileage' and note the discrepancy in the bill of sale. Certifying a suspicious low reading as 'Actual mileage' without explanation is a red flag for fraud.
What are the penalties for odometer fraud in Illinois?
Federal law provides up to $10,000 per violation and/or 3 years imprisonment. Illinois may additionally charge odometer fraud under state fraud statutes. Civil recovery is triple damages, minimum $1,500, plus attorney's fees.