Free Montana Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Federal law (49 U.S.C. § 32705, Truth in Mileage Act) requires sellers to provide a written odometer disclosure on every qualifying vehicle transfer. Vehicles of model year 2010 or older are exempt (model year 2011 and newer stay covered until they are 20 model years old, so a 2011 vehicle becomes exempt in 2031), as are vehicles with a GVWR over 16,000 lbs and new vehicles prior to first retail sale. In Montana, the disclosure is recorded directly on the certificate of title; no separate state form is required, and the county treasurer's office handles title transfers.
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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 →
Montana Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
MVD
Montana Motor Vehicle Division
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Montana Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Locate the odometer disclosure section on the Montana certificate of title and record the exact mileage at the time of sale.
- Select the correct certification: 'Actual mileage,' 'Exceeds mechanical limits (odometer rollover),' or 'Not actual mileage (discrepancy known).'
- Both seller and buyer must sign and date the title in the designated odometer disclosure area.
- Present the completed title to the county treasurer's office in the buyer's county of residence to transfer ownership.
- Retain a copy of the completed title for your records for at least five years.
- Remember: Montana has no sales tax, so no tax calculation is required at transfer.
Common Pitfalls
- Selling 'as-is' does NOT waive the federal odometer disclosure requirement — TIMA applies regardless of any disclaimer in the bill of sale.
- Choosing 'not actual mileage' when the odometer has simply rolled over is wrong; use 'exceeds mechanical limits' for a rollover situation.
- Leaving the odometer section blank or writing 'unknown' on a vehicle that is not exempt exposes the seller to federal criminal penalties of up to $10,000 and three years in prison.
- Failing to record the mileage accurately — even if unintentional — can trigger civil liability for treble damages with a minimum of $1,500.
- Out-of-state titles may have the odometer disclosure on a different section; match your entry exactly to the field labeled on that title.
Montana Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Where does the odometer disclosure go on a Montana title?
Montana prints a dedicated odometer disclosure section on the face of the certificate of title. Both buyer and seller complete and sign this section before presenting the title to the county treasurer for transfer.
Is my 1999 pickup truck exempt from odometer disclosure?
Yes. Yes — the federal rule exempts every vehicle of model year 2010 and older, so a 1999 truck is far inside the exemption. Only 2011-and-newer vehicles disclose, until they reach 20 model years.
Does Montana have a separate odometer disclosure form?
No. Montana integrates the odometer disclosure directly into the title certificate. If the title was issued by another state and lacks a disclosure section, use NHTSA's standalone odometer disclosure form.
What penalties apply if I falsify an odometer disclosure in Montana?
Under federal law, criminal penalties reach $10,000 per violation and up to three years imprisonment. Civil liability is treble the buyer's actual damages, with a minimum of $1,500 per violation.