Free Iowa Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Iowa requires odometer disclosure on all qualifying vehicle transfers under the federal Truth in Mileage Act (TIMA), 49 U.S.C. § 32705. Vehicles 25 or more model years old (2001 or older in 2026) and those with a GVWR above 16,000 lbs are exempt. Iowa places the odometer disclosure on the Certificate of Title; sellers complete the odometer section on the title, select the appropriate certification, and both parties sign before the title is submitted to a county treasurer's office for transfer.
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Iowa Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Iowa DOT MVD
Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.05%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Iowa Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Confirm the vehicle requires disclosure: 2002 or newer model year and GVWR 16,000 lbs or under.
- Note the exact odometer reading on the date of sale.
- Choose the correct certification on the Iowa title: 'Actual mileage', 'Exceeds mechanical limits', or 'Not actual mileage'.
- Seller fills in, signs, and dates the odometer section of the Iowa Certificate of Title.
- Buyer countersigns to acknowledge the disclosed reading.
- Both parties retain photocopies of the completed title.
- Submit the title to the county treasurer's office; Iowa charges a 5% one-time registration fee in lieu of a traditional sales tax.
Common Pitfalls
- An 'as-is' sale clause does not exempt the seller from the federal TIMA odometer disclosure requirement.
- Iowa assesses a one-time registration fee (not a recurring sales tax) — this fee is 5% of the purchase price and is paid at the county treasurer's office.
- Leaving the certification type unselected on the Iowa title; the county treasurer will reject the transfer without it.
- Making erasures or corrections on the title; Iowa requires a replacement title for any altered documents.
- Submitting the title to the wrong office — Iowa processes title transfers at the county treasurer's office, not a central DOT office.
Iowa Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Is odometer disclosure required for a 2001 truck sold in Iowa in 2026?
No. A 2001 model-year vehicle is 25 years old in 2026 and meets the federal exemption. Disclosure is not required but may be provided voluntarily.
What do I write if the odometer has rolled over from 999,999 to a lower number?
Select 'Exceeds mechanical limits' on the Iowa title and record the current displayed reading. This informs the buyer that the true accumulated mileage exceeds what the odometer shows.
Does Iowa require a separate odometer disclosure form?
No. Iowa uses the Certificate of Title for the odometer disclosure, with both seller and buyer signing the title's odometer section.
What are the consequences of odometer fraud in Iowa?
Federal law imposes up to $10,000 in fines and/or 3 years imprisonment per violation. Civil recovery is triple actual damages, minimum $1,500, plus attorney's fees. Iowa can pursue additional state fraud charges.