When must the odometer reading be disclosed to the buyer?

Odometer readings must be disclosed to the buyer at the time of sale to ensure transparency and to protect the buyer from potential fraud. This requirement is in line with federal and state laws aimed at preventing odometer tampering and misrepresentation of a vehicle’s true mileage. By providing this information during the sale, the buyer can assess the vehicle's condition, value, and history more accurately.

In other scenarios, such as registration or routine inspections, the focus is on legal compliance and vehicle safety rather than on providing the buyer with critical information that influences their purchasing decision. Similarly, disclosing odometer readings only when a vehicle is traded in does not fulfill the obligation to inform a potential buyer who is making a purchasing choice at that moment. Providing the odometer reading during the sale empowers the buyer with necessary information about the vehicle's past use and reliability.