Free South Carolina Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
A qualifying transfer triggers the federal written disclosure (49 U.S.C. § 32705). Qualifying runs from model year 2011 forward until each vehicle is 20 model years old; 2010-and-older models, trucks over 16,000 lbs GVWR, and new pre-retail vehicles are exempt. In South Carolina, the odometer reading is disclosed on the certificate of title; buyers pay a 5% Infrastructure Maintenance Fee (IMF) capped at $500 in lieu of traditional sales tax.
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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 →
South Carolina Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
SCDMV
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
0.05%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
South Carolina Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Locate the odometer disclosure section on the South Carolina certificate of title.
- Write the odometer's exact reading at the moment of sale.
- Declare the reading's status: actual, exceeds mechanical limits (five-digit wheel rolled over), or not actual (discrepancy you know about).
- Both seller and buyer must sign and date the title in the odometer disclosure section.
- Prepare a bill of sale with the vehicle description, parties, date, and purchase price to support the 5% IMF calculation (capped at $500).
- The buyer submits the completed title and bill of sale to the SCDMV and pays the IMF to obtain a new title and registration.
- Archive everything signed — five years minimum, indefinitely for high-value sales.
Common Pitfalls
- Selling as-is changes nothing federally — the odometer disclosure obligation stands regardless of the clause.
- Confusing 'not actual mileage' with 'exceeds mechanical limits' is a common error — use the rollover certification whenever the odometer has cycled past its maximum digit.
- The missing disclosure on an eligible vehicle carries federal criminal exposure — $10,000 and three years.
- South Carolina's IMF is capped at $500, but understating the purchase price to manipulate the fee amount is still a fraudulent act.
- Odometer fraud's civil price: triple the actual damages, with $1,500 as the statutory floor per violation.
South Carolina Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
What is South Carolina's Infrastructure Maintenance Fee and how is it calculated?
The IMF replaced South Carolina's vehicle sales tax. It is 5% of the purchase price, capped at $500 per transaction. The buyer pays the IMF to the SCDMV when submitting the title for transfer.
Where is the odometer disclosure made for a South Carolina vehicle sale?
South Carolina's certificate of title includes a dedicated odometer disclosure section. Both seller and buyer complete and sign this section before the title is submitted to the SCDMV.
Is a 2001 model-year vehicle exempt from odometer disclosure in South Carolina?
Yes, it is exempt — not because of its age in years but because of its model year: everything 2010 and older is outside the federal requirement, while 2011+ vehicles disclose until 20 model years old.
What are the consequences of odometer fraud in South Carolina?
Federal criminal penalties include fines up to $10,000 and imprisonment up to three years. Civil liability is treble actual damages, with a statutory minimum of $1,500 per violation.