Odometer Disclosure: The 20-Model-Year Rule
Check the federal model-year boundaries and the title or approved disclosure document.
Reviewed 2026-10-01
Which model-year rule applies?
The reviewed 2025 edition of 49 CFR 580.17 keeps model year 2011 and newer within the disclosure requirement for 20 model years. Model year 2010 and older uses the earlier 10-model-year exemption. Other listed exemptions include vehicles over 16,000 lb GVWR and non-self-propelled vehicles. Source
Use the required disclosure document
Section 580.5 describes transferor disclosure and transferee acknowledgment on the title or an approved document. This independent bill-of-sale section is a supplemental record; it is not an assertion that the title disclosure can be skipped. Source
What the builder checks
The builder compares the entered model year with the sale year and checks the entered GVWR. For a non-exempt self-propelled vehicle, it asks for a reading and an actual-mileage, mechanical-limit or not-actual-mileage certification. Verify those inputs and the agency instructions before signing.