Free Washington Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale
Every covered transfer carries the federal written disclosure of 49 U.S.C. § 32705. The covered set: model year 2011 and newer, each until 20 model years old — with 2010-and-older vehicles, 16,000-lb-plus GVWR trucks, and new vehicles before first retail sale excluded. In Washington State, the odometer disclosure is made directly on the certificate of title itself, the buyer has 15 days from the date of sale to submit the title to the DOL, and the 6.5% use tax is paid to the county auditor or DOL office at the time of transfer.
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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 →
Washington Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
WA DOL
Washington State Department of Licensing
Primary ID Field
VIN
Sales Tax
6.5%
Title Required
Yes
Inspection
Not required
Washington Odometer Disclosure Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Locate the odometer disclosure section printed on the Washington State certificate of title.
- Record the exact mileage at the time of sale in the odometer section of the title. If you do not have the title, get the Odometer Disclosure form at a vehicle licensing office.
- Complete the certification choice — actual reading, rollover beyond mechanical limits, or not-actual for a known mileage discrepancy.
- Both seller and buyer must sign and date the title's odometer disclosure section.
- Prepare a bill of sale with the vehicle description, parties, date, and purchase price to support the 6.5% use tax.
- The buyer must submit the completed title to the county auditor's office or a DOL licensing office within 15 days of the sale and pay the 6.5% use tax.
- Keep copies of the paperwork for your records.
Common Pitfalls
- The as-is clause allocates condition risk — it cannot waive the federal odometer disclosure.
- Missing Washington's 15-day deadline for title submission results in late fees and does not relieve the odometer disclosure requirement.
- Confusing 'not actual mileage' with 'exceeds mechanical limits' is a misclassification — use the rollover certification whenever the odometer has cycled past its maximum digit.
- Knowingly leave the disclosure off a covered vehicle and the seller faces federal charges: fines and up to three years in prison.
- Defrauded buyers recover treble damages civilly — a $10,000 minimum applies per violation.
- Checking 'exceeds mechanical limits' on a car with fewer than 100,000 miles. Washington does not allow that choice below 100,000 miles, so the licensing office may reject the title.
Washington Odometer Disclosure Bill of Sale — FAQs
Where exactly is the odometer disclosure made on a Washington title?
Washington State prints the odometer disclosure section directly on the certificate of title. Both parties complete and sign that section before the title is submitted to the DOL. If the title is not available, DOL gives out a separate Odometer Disclosure form at vehicle licensing offices.
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title in Washington?
Washington requires the buyer to submit the signed title to the county auditor or a DOL licensing office within 15 days of the purchase date. Late submissions incur penalty fees.
What is the sales tax rate on vehicle purchases in Washington?
Washington charges use tax on a private-party vehicle purchase when the vehicle is registered: the 6.5% state rate plus any local rate. A separate motor vehicle sales/use tax is added on top (0.5% since January 1, 2026). The buyer pays the tax when submitting the title for transfer.
Is a 2001 model-year vehicle exempt from odometer disclosure in Washington?
Yes — exempt by model year: 2010 and older vehicles carry no federal disclosure duty. The obligation belongs to 2011-and-newer models until they reach two decades of model years.
What penalties apply to odometer fraud in Washington?
Federal criminal penalties include fines and imprisonment up to three years per violation. The buyer's civil claim yields triple damages or $10,000, whichever is greater.
How do I get a Washington odometer disclosure form?
If you have the title, use the odometer section printed on it. If you do not have the title, the Department of Licensing gives out an Odometer Disclosure form at vehicle licensing offices. You cannot download it. DOL prints it on tamper-proof paper in the office. State rules also allow an 'odometer disclosure/title extension statement' when every reassignment line on the title is full.
Which box do I check if the odometer is under 100,000 miles in Washington?
Washington law limits the choices by mileage. Under 100,000 miles, you may only certify 'actual mileage' or 'not the actual mileage'. At 100,000 miles or more, you can use those two only if the odometer can show six digits. A five-digit odometer that has passed 99,999 must be marked as exceeding its mechanical limits.
Do all owners on a Washington title have to sign the odometer statement?
No. Washington requires only one owner to sign for the seller and one for the buyer. If a business is the owner or buyer, the statement must show both the business name and the name of the person signing for it. The buyer must give the seller a signed copy at the time of the sale.
Can the buyer sign the odometer statement for the seller in Washington?
No. Washington rules say the seller cannot give the buyer or a dealer power of attorney to fill in the odometer statement, and the buyer cannot give it to the seller. No one may sign as both seller and buyer in the same sale. A power of attorney that follows the federal odometer rules in 49 CFR Part 580 is still accepted.
Is Washington changing its odometer exemption?
Yes. Until January 1, 2031, Washington law exempts vehicles of model year 2010 or older. From that date, the state law instead exempts any motor vehicle that is 20 years old or older. Trailers and other vehicles that are not self-propelled are exempt under both versions.