The Mileage Statement, Explained

Do I have to disclose the mileage when I sell my car?

For most vehicles, yes. The federal Truth in Mileage Act requires a written odometer disclosure statement whenever ownership of a covered vehicle transfers. In Florida, the disclosure is built into the title transfer paperwork: when you sign the title over, you certify the mileage reading and whether it reflects the actual miles. The buyer signs acknowledging it. It takes seconds and it is part of every legitimate sale.

The disclosure matters even when mileage does not affect the price much. On a junk or as-is sale, the buyer is pricing metal and parts, not miles, but the statement is still part of a clean transfer. Dealers handle this through their standard forms, and private sellers use the same title certificate, which in Florida has a dedicated odometer section that both parties sign. If a lienholder payoff is involved, the lender's title department typically prepares the disclosure as part of the release package. Electronic lien and title processes do not change the requirement; the statement is still captured and recorded. The paperwork follows a fixed routine, and following it exactly is what keeps the transfer clean. If you are unsure about the mechanics of signing over a Florida title, our guide to how to transfer a Florida car title walks through each step, including where the mileage certification goes.

What if the odometer is broken or was replaced?

You disclose that. The federal disclosure form includes checkboxes for exactly these situations: mileage that is not the actual mileage, or mileage that exceeds the odometer's mechanical limits. You check the appropriate box, write in your best knowledge of the true mileage if you have it, and sign. Honesty on the form is what the law requires; a broken odometer is common on older cars and is not a problem when it is disclosed.

What you must not do is guess a flattering number, roll the odometer back, or swap in a lower-mileage cluster to make the car look better. Odometer tampering is one of the few areas of car sales where enforcement is genuinely strict, with federal criminal penalties. If the cluster was replaced during a repair, say so on the form and keep the repair receipt with the car's records. A documented cluster swap with an honest disclosure raises no eyebrows.

Are older cars exempt from odometer disclosure?

Generally, yes. Vehicles that are 20 model years or older are exempt from the federal odometer disclosure requirement. A 2005 model sold in 2026, for example, falls outside the federal rule. That exemption reflects the reality that very old odometers are often on their second or third trip around, or long since replaced.

Exempt does not mean silent. Accurate mileage records still help your sale, and honest buyers still ask. If you know the mileage, share it; if you do not, say so. And note that some states add their own requirements on top of the federal baseline, so the exemption is a federal floor, not a universal rule. When in doubt, disclose. It costs nothing and it can only help.

What are the penalties for lying about mileage?

Serious. Odometer fraud is a federal crime, and convictions can bring fines and prison time. On the civil side, buyers who discover rolled-back mileage can sue for substantial damages, and federal law provides for meaningful statutory awards that make these cases worth a lawyer's time. It is one of the most heavily penalized deceptions in vehicle sales, because mileage is so central to a car's value.

This is also why you should be careful buying, not just selling. If a deal seems too good and the mileage seems too low, run a history check and look for mileage inconsistencies across inspections, registrations, and service records. Our guide to junk car scams to avoid covers the red flags, and if you are evaluating a buyer rather than a car, our questions to ask a junk car buyer will help you separate legitimate operators from the rest.

How does mileage disclosure work on an as-is sale?

The same as any other sale. You read the odometer, you write it down, you check the right box, you sign. If you do not have the title, which happens with old cars that changed hands informally, the process has an extra step; see our page on selling a car with no title in Florida for the legitimate paths. Reputable cash buyers handle the mileage statement as routine paperwork at pickup and will walk you through it.

Get an online junk car quote and be ready with the odometer reading. See how junk car pickup works, then sell your car fast with free towing and cash on the spot. Past purchases have ranged from $150 to $1,300 with a $525 median across 303 completed buys. Call 954-787-5717 and we will handle the paperwork, disclosure included.