Free Michigan Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Michigan vehicle transfers must comply with both federal TIMA (49 U.S.C. § 32705) and the Michigan Vehicle Code, specifically MCL § 257.233a, which governs odometer disclosures on title transfers. Model year decides it: 2010 and older are exempt, 2011 and newer disclose through their 20th model year, and GVWR above 16,000 lbs exempts at any age. Michigan places the odometer disclosure on the Certificate of Title itself; both seller and buyer must complete and sign the odometer section of the title before submitting it to a Michigan Secretary of State branch office.
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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, which model years are exempt, and what to do if the odometer has rolled over. Read: Odometer Disclosure Statement: What It Is & What to Write →
Michigan Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
Michigan DOS
Michigan Secretary of State
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
6%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Michigan Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Start with the exemption test: model year 2010 or older means no disclosure; 2011 and newer (under 16,000 lbs GVWR) means it applies.
- Read the odometer and record the exact mileage on the day of the sale.
- Select the correct certification on the Michigan title: 'Actual mileage', 'Exceeds mechanical limits', or 'Not actual mileage.'
- Seller prints name, signs, and dates the odometer section of the Michigan Certificate of Title.
- Buyer prints name and countersigns the acknowledgment section on the same title.
- Both parties keep copies of the completed title before submitting.
- Submit the title to a Michigan Secretary of State branch office; Michigan's 6% use tax is collected at the time of transfer.
- A private sale can be transferred at a Secretary of State office, or online if both people qualify: Michigan license or ID and an online account for each, one seller to one buyer, a paper Michigan title, and no buyer financing.
Common Pitfalls
- An 'as-is' sale does not exempt the seller from Michigan's MCL § 257.233a or federal TIMA odometer disclosure requirements.
- Leaving the odometer section blank — the Michigan Secretary of State says the odometer reading must be accurately recorded on the title.
- Overlooking Michigan's own odometer statute (MCL § 257.233a): tampering is a felony, and a seller who means to defraud owes 3 times the actual damages or $1,500, whichever is more.
- Not getting both parties' signatures and completing the title fully before the buyer visits the SOS office.
- Making corrections on the Michigan title with cross-outs or correction fluid; to fix a wrong mileage entry, the Secretary of State says to get an amended odometer statement from the seller.
Michigan Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
What Michigan law governs odometer disclosures specifically?
MCL § 257.233a of the Michigan Vehicle Code specifically governs odometer disclosures on title transfers. It operates alongside and reinforces federal TIMA requirements.
Is odometer disclosure required for a 2001 vehicle sold in Michigan in 2026?
No. A 2001 model-year vehicle is exactly 25 years old in 2026 and is exempt under both federal TIMA and MCL § 257.233a. Voluntary disclosure is still acceptable.
What if the odometer was tampered with before I bought the car — what do I disclose when I sell it?
Select 'Not actual mileage' and disclose the known tampering history in the bill of sale. Certifying a reading you know to be inaccurate as 'Actual mileage' makes you a co-conspirator in odometer fraud.
Does Michigan have a separate odometer form for private-party transfers?
Usually not. In a private sale, completing the odometer section on the Michigan title meets the rule (MCL § 257.233a). If the title has no space for it, or the vehicle is not titled, a separate statement is used: the Secretary of State's Odometer Mileage Statement, Form BDVR-108.
What penalties apply for odometer fraud in Michigan?
Under federal law, a knowing violation can bring fines and up to three years in prison. In Michigan, MCL § 257.233a makes odometer tampering a felony, and a seller who means to defraud owes 3 times the actual damages or $1,500, whichever is more. Civil recovery triples the damages, floors them at $10,000, and adds legal fees.