When you transfer a vehicle in the State of Wisconsin you need to complete the odometer reading on the vehicle’s title for any vehicle model year 2011 or newer, self-propelled and below 16,000 pounds. On older titles the odometer reading is completed on the front of the title in the Assignment of Title and Mileage Disclosure. Presently, on newer titles, in a private transaction, the odometer reading is completed on the back of the title in the Assignment of Certificate of Title – Section 1. If the vehicle is not exempt you must fill out the odometer reading in any private transaction. A private transaction is also when you transfer a vehicle to a family member or you donate the vehicle.
In the State of Wisconsin these vehicle types are exempt from odometer reading: all vehicles model year 2010 or older, all vehicles over 16,000 pounds, all non-motorized vehicles (trailer-type), low-speed vehicles (LSV), mopeds, and scooters.
When you purchase a vehicle from a licensed dealer from Wisconsin, the dealer will submit the title and registration paperwork for you.
In any case remember to never buy a vehicle until you receive first the title signed by the previous owner with the odometer statement filled out!
However even though in Wisconsin a separate Odometer Disclosure form isn’t required you can find one below for your safety. So by filling this optional federal form and by keeping a copy of the assigned title you can keep the odometer disclosure record and prevent future claims from the buyer.
Wisconsin Odometer Disclosure Federal Form
Below you can find the optional Wisconsin federal fillable PDF form for your use in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement separate form contains three sections. Below you’ll get exact instructions how to fill out this generic form:
Section 1
The first section includes the full name of the seller. The name must be PRINTED. So this means to use only Capital Letters to write SELLER’S NAME. Next fill in all the vehicle details. Start with the current odometer reading. If the odometer reading is in excess of the mechanical limits of the odometer check the corresponding box. Also if the odometer reading is not the actual mileage please check the corresponding box:
Section 2
In the second section fill out the Seller (Transferor) Information. This includes the seller’s signature and name. Please write SELLER’S NAME using only Capital Letters. Lastly fill out the seller’s address:
Section 3:
Finally in the last section fill out the Buyer (Transferee) Information. First include the buyer’s signature and name. Please write BUYER’S NAME using only Capital Letters. Lastly fill in the buyer’s address, and date of certification:
In Wisconsin you can fill out the optional Wisconsin Odometer Disclosure Statement Form.
Regardless, if you want to know how to get an exact odometer reading you can find all the details here: Reading the Odometer – How to read an Odometer.
Tip: to complete the optional Wisconsin Odometer Disclosure Statement Form on your device (computer / phone / tablet) open this PDF form in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Also you may fill out this form by hand. However don’t forget to use a pen with black or blue ink and not a pencil!
How to fill out the Wisconsin Odometer Statement
When you fill out the odometer reading in the Assignment of Certificate of Title, Section 1, on the back of the vehicle’s Certificate of Title you have to fill out the following details. Please use a pen with black or blue ink and not a pencil. Also don’t make any erasures or alterations on the title because you will void the title! Moreover before you start to write on the title please read carefully all the instructions first.
By filling out and signing the title the seller certifies that the information contained is true and correct. Also the seller certifies the brand disclosure and selling price.
So first the seller certifies and fills out the current odometer reading as the actual mileage. Please use only digits without tenths. Only if the Odometer reading entered is in EXCESS of the odometer’s mechanical limits the seller can check the first box. Or the seller can check the second check box only if the Odometer reading entered is NOT the actual mileage (Warning Odometer Discrepancy).
Next, ONLY if necessary, the seller can check all boxes that apply in the Brands Disclosure. Here the seller can check if this is a Salvage Vehicle, Flood damaged, Hail damaged, Previous police vehicle or Previous taxicab. Any brand disclosure will be printed on future titles.
Then the seller fills out the selling price.
After that the seller fills out their PRINTED NAME. Fill out the name(s) of the seller exactly as it appears on the title. Next the seller fills out their address, city, state and ZIP code. Lastly the seller(s) signs and completes the signing date. Only one seller must sign if the title states OR between owner names printed on the title. Both sellers must sign if the title states AND or AND/OR between owner names, or if nothing is listed between owner names.
Next the buyer fills out the PURCHASER’S / BUYER’S PRINTED NAME. Then fill out purchaser’s (buyer’s) address, city, state and ZIP code.
Finally the buyer or the purchaser signs and fills out the signing date:
Odometer Fraud in Wisconsin
Odometer fraud costs Wisconsin consumers millions of dollars each year according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Altering, disconnecting or resetting a vehicle’s odometer to hide the true mileage is called odometer tampering. Odometer tampering violates state and federal laws. Also odometer tampering is punishable by fines, imprisonment or both.
So if you have reasons to think you are a victim of odometer fraud please try to find a solution with the seller first. If you cannot reach a solution you can File a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. For more details please call (608) 266-1425.
Find more information about the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles
In any case for more information go to Wisconsin Department of Transportation – Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Specifically the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) supports all forms of transportation. The department is responsible for planning, building and maintaining Wisconsin’s network of state and Interstate highway system.
According to Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) the odometer disclosure is important. So it’s important because “when a vehicle buyer requests a new Wisconsin title, WisDOT checks the latest title against available title information and confirms the information is current. Out-of-state vehicle titles are checked by using the Vehicle Information Number (VIN) in a national database. The goal is to ensure the secure creation and maintenance of vehicle records and to reduce fraud through odometer rollbacks.”.