Free Maryland Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Maryland vehicle transfers must comply with 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. Maryland places the odometer disclosure on the Certificate of Title; both seller and buyer sign the title's odometer section before submitting it to an MVA office — and Maryland's 6% excise tax is assessed on the vehicle's fair market value (FMV) rather than simply the stated sale price, which is an important distinction.
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Maryland Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Maryland MVA
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.06%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Maryland Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify 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 day of the transaction.
- Select the correct certification on the Maryland title: 'Actual mileage', 'Exceeds mechanical limits', or 'Not actual mileage'.
- Seller prints name, signs, and dates the odometer section of the Maryland Certificate of Title.
- Buyer prints name and countersigns the acknowledgment area.
- Both parties retain photocopies of the signed title before submitting.
- Submit the title to a Maryland MVA office; the 6% excise tax is based on the higher of the sale price or the vehicle's book value (FMV).
- Complete any required Maryland safety inspection before the buyer registers the vehicle.
Common Pitfalls
- An 'as-is' clause does not exempt the seller from the federal TIMA odometer disclosure requirement.
- Understating the sale price to reduce excise tax — Maryland MVA uses the higher of the sale price or book value, so understatement rarely saves tax and can constitute fraud.
- Leaving the odometer certification type blank; Maryland MVA rejects title transfers with incomplete odometer sections.
- Forgetting that Maryland requires the buyer to pass a vehicle safety inspection before registration — this is separate from the odometer disclosure but affects the transfer timeline.
- Making corrections on the Maryland title using correction fluid or crossing out entries; a replacement title must be obtained before transfer.
Maryland Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Is odometer disclosure required for a 2001 vehicle sold in Maryland in 2026?
No. A 2001 model-year vehicle is 25 years old in 2026 and is federally exempt. Sellers may disclose voluntarily but are not legally required to do so.
Why does Maryland calculate excise tax on fair market value rather than just the sale price?
Maryland MVA uses the higher of the declared sale price or the vehicle's book value to prevent tax evasion through artificially low sale prices between related parties. If you sell at arm's length for a fair price, book value typically won't exceed the sale price.
What should I do if the odometer on a vehicle I bought was rolled back before I purchased it?
If you now know the reading is incorrect, select 'Not actual mileage' when you resell and disclose the known history. Certifying a reading you know to be false as 'Actual mileage' makes you liable for odometer fraud.
Does Maryland require a separate odometer form?
No. Maryland uses the Certificate of Title for the odometer disclosure. The title's odometer section is signed by both parties — no additional Maryland state form is required for private-party transfers.
What are the penalties for odometer fraud in Maryland?
Federal penalties: up to $10,000 per violation and/or 3 years imprisonment. Civil liability is triple actual damages, minimum $1,500, plus attorney's fees. Maryland may also pursue criminal fraud charges under state law.