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California Odometer Disclosure Statement

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BILL OF SALE OF AUTOMOBILE

To be completed upon sale of motor vehicle.

State of California

County of    $ (Purchase Price)

FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the execution of a Promissory Note for $ and downpayment of $ , by , (Buyer(s), to , “Seller(s)”, Seller(s) do hereby bargain and sell to Buyer(s) the following personal property:

One (1) Motor Vehicle

Make

Model

Body Type

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Year

The said property I guarantee is my own and free of all claims and offsets of any and all kinds.

To have and to hold the same unto Buyer(s) and Buyer(s) executors, administrators and assigns, forever.

Seller(s) hereby covenant to and with Buyer(s) that Seller(s) is the true and lawful owner(s) of the above-described motor vehicle, that the same is free from all encumbrances whatsoever except the lien retained by Seller(s), that Seller(s) has good right to sell the same as aforesaid, and that Seller(s) will warrant and defend the same against all lawful claims and demands whatsoever.

Seller(s)

Print Name:

Print Name:

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, this the day of , 20 .

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:


ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

To be completed by Transferor (Seller)

Federal law (and State law, if applicable) requires that you state the mileage upon transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

I, , state that the odometer now reads miles and to the best of my knowledge that it reflects the actual mileage of the vehicle described below, unless one of the following statements is checked.

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge the odometer reading reflects the amount of mileage in excess of its mechanical limits.

I hereby certify that the odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage.

WARNING - ODOMETER DISCREPANCY.

Make

Model

Body Type

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Year

Signature of Transferor (Seller):

Transferor's (Seller's) Information

Transferor's Name (Please Type or Print):

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Transferee's (Buyer's) Information

Transferee's Name (Please Type or Print):

Street Address:

City:

State:

Zip:

Signature of Transferee (Buyer):

DATE OF STATEMENT:

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

COUNTY OF

SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME, this the day of , 20 .

NOTARY PUBLIC

My Commission Expires:

ORIGINAL MUST BE PROVIDED WITH APPLICATION FOR A CERTIFICATE OF TITLE


PROMISSORY NOTE

(In Connection with Sale of Vehicle)

$ County, California

Date:

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Buyer(s), promise to pay to the order of , Seller(s), whose address is , the sum of ( $ ), together with no interest, or with interest of percent per annum, payable in monthly installments of per month, with the first payment being due on the day of , 20 and a like payment on the same day of each month thereafter until fully paid.

THERE will be no pre-payment penalty on this Note.

IF DEFAULT is made in payment after demand, and such default shall continue for a period of 10 days, then the holder hereof may, at its option, declare the whole sum then remaining unpaid immediately due and payable. In case of any such default, the undersigned agrees to pay all costs of collection, including a reasonable attorney's fee, whether or not suit is instituted. Upon default for ten (10) days, the vehicle sold to Buyer in connection with this promissory note shall be returned to Seller(s) and Seller(s) is granted all rights of repossession as a secured party.

PRESENTMENT for payment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest, notice of protest and any homestead or personal property exemption allowed by the constitutions or laws of any state are hereby waived by the undersigned. Failure by the holder hereof to exercise any option granted it hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of future rights.

This Note is given to secure the payment of the purchase price of a vehicle, identified below:

Make: Model: Year: VIN:

Title to the vehicle will either be (check option) retained by Seller until all payment due under this note are paid in full, or transferred to Buyer at execution of this note, in which case Seller retains a vendors lien in said vehicle and Buyer grants to Seller a security interest in the vehicle until this note is paid in full. If title is transferred to Buyer, Seller shall be listed as a lender on the title of the vehicle, whether or not Seller elects to perfect Seller’s security interest in the vehicle.

BORROWER/BUYER SS#

BORROWER/BUYER

BORROWER/BUYER SS#

BORROWER/BUYER

Seller Name, Address, Phone:

Buyer(s) Name, Address, Phone:

Enter text✕

What the California Odometer Disclosure Statement Is

California Odometer Disclosure Statement is a standardized document used when transferring ownership of a vehicle in California to record the vehicle's odometer reading and disclose whether the mileage is accurate. It supports federal and state compliance by documenting mileage at time of sale or transfer, providing evidence to buyers, sellers, and titling authorities. The statement is typically completed by the seller and included with the vehicle title transfer or a separate DMV form; accurate completion helps prevent fraud, resolves disputes about vehicle history, and meets disclosure obligations under applicable odometer laws and state titling rules.

Why a Clear Odometer Disclosure Matters

Recording the odometer reading protects buyers and sellers, documents condition at transfer, and reduces legal exposure. It creates a clear, reproducible record for title processing and resale, supporting accurate vehicle history and compliance with odometer disclosure laws.

Why a Clear Odometer Disclosure Matters

Who Commonly Completes This Statement

Typical users include private sellers, dealerships, title companies, and insurance adjusters handling transfers and claims.

  • Private sellers completing a single vehicle transfer; seller completes disclosure and provides it to buyer and DMV.
  • Licensed dealers record odometer disclosure for trade-ins and retail sales to satisfy title and FTC obligations.
  • Title companies and escrow agents verify odometer entries during ownership transfers and document exceptions or errors.

Ensure the correct party signs and dates the form; retain a copy for recordkeeping and possible dispute resolution.

Typical Signers and Their Roles

Private Seller

A private seller transfers the vehicle and signs the odometer disclosure to attest to mileage accuracy or to note discrepancies. Accurate entries prevent future civil liability and ensure the buyer and DMV have consistent documentation at title transfer.

Licensed Dealer

A licensed dealer completes odometer disclosure for inventory trade-ins and retail sales, often integrating the statement into electronic titling and sales paperwork. Dealers must reconcile mechanical vs. reported mileage and disclose known discrepancies to purchasers.

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP addresses, and action history
Access Controls: Role-based permissions and SSO options
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
HIPAA: BAA available for protected health information
21 CFR 11: Support for FDA-regulated records and controls

Penalties and Risks for Incorrect Statements

Civil Liability: Damages and restitution possible
Criminal Penalties: Fraud charges for intentional misstatement
Title Rejection: DMV may refuse transfer
Buyer Remedies: Rescission or monetary claims
Insurance Issues: Claims may be denied or reduced
Record Mismatch: Disputes over warranty coverage

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Entering miles in incorrect format or transposing digits leads to mismatched title records and buyer disputes; double-check numeric entry and units before signing.
  • Failing to have the correct owner sign or using an agent without proof of authority can void disclosure and delay title transfer, sometimes requiring corrective affidavits.
  • Not including the disclosure with the title transfer or failing to retain a copy prevents resolution when discrepancies emerge later and complicates insurance or warranty claims.
  • Handwritten figures that are unclear or overwritten increase processing time and risk rejection by DMV; prefer typed or electronic entries for clarity and permanence.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Statement

Complete the odometer statement in sequence, verify VIN and mileage, obtain signatures, and submit with the title or transfer documents.

  • 01
    Verify VIN: Confirm VIN matches title and vehicle
  • 02
    Record Mileage: Enter numeric odometer reading, no abbreviations
  • 03
    Declare Accuracy: Check appropriate box for actual or not actual
  • 04
    Sign and Date: Seller and buyer sign; include printed names

How the Disclosure Travels Through the Process

Typical routing: seller completes disclosure, buyer reviews, documents accompany title transfer, and DMV records the mileage for the vehicle history.

  • Seller Completes: Seller inputs mileage and signs the form
  • Buyer Reviews: Buyer confirms reading and signs acknowledgment
  • Title Submission: Attach disclosure to transfer documents for DMV
  • Record Retention: Both parties retain copies for at least three years

Essential Elements to Include on a Professional Statement

A professional California Odometer Disclosure Statement captures vehicle identifiers, the exact odometer reading, an accuracy disclosure, seller and buyer details, signatures, and the date and location of transfer.

Vehicle Identifiers

Include the vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, and model precisely as shown on title or registration. Mismatched identifiers can delay titling and create legal ambiguity in ownership records.

Odometer Reading

Record the exact numeric reading from the instrument cluster at transfer time. Use whole miles, avoid rounding, and note if the odometer rolls over or is inoperable to prevent misinterpretation.

Accuracy Disclosure

Check the correct box indicating actual mileage or indicating that the odometer reading is not the actual mileage. Provide an explanation for any discrepancy or inoperable odometer to maintain transparency.

Seller Information

Provide the seller's full legal name, mailing address, and contact information matching government ID. If selling through an agent or dealer, include authorized representative details and documentation.

Buyer Information

Record the buyer's full legal name and address as they will appear on the new title. Accurate buyer details help the DMV process the transfer without additional verification steps.

Signatures & Date

Require dated signatures from both seller and buyer in the designated blocks. Electronic signatures are acceptable when the signature method complies with ESIGN and state rules.

Suggested Digital Workflow Settings

Configure your electronic workflow to capture required fields, enforce signer order, and retain a complete compliance record for each transfer.

Field Configuration
Signature Method ESIGN compliant e-signature
Authentication Level Email or SMS OTP common
Notarization Option In-person or RON where allowed
Storage Format PDF/A with audit trail

Platform Features to Verify Before eSigning

Choose a platform that supports PDF, DOCX, HTML and secure audit trails, plus integrations with title systems and CRM.

  • File Types: PDF, DOCX, HTML, XLSX supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, and advanced options

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison

The table compares core pricing and feature availability for common eSignature providers; signNow appears first per guidance.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Plan Yes, 7-day trial No No Yes, limited Yes, limited
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

FAQs: Common Questions and Practical Answers

Common questions about completing, validating, and submitting California odometer disclosures, including electronic signing, corrections, and legal effects.


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