Title 49 — TransportationRelease 119-73
§32701 Findings and purposes
Title 49 › Subtitle SUBTITLE VI— - MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › Part PART C— - INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS › Chapter CHAPTER 327— - ODOMETERS › § 32701
Summary
Forbids tampering with motor vehicle odometers and protects buyers when cars have altered or reset odometers. Congress found that buyers rely on odometer readings to know a vehicle’s mileage, value, safety, and reliability, and that vehicles cross state and international borders.
Full Legal Text
Title 49, §32701
Transportation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Congress finds that—
(1)buyers of motor vehicles rely heavily on the odometer reading as an index of the condition and value of a vehicle;
(2)buyers are entitled to rely on the odometer reading as an accurate indication of the mileage of the vehicle;
(3)an accurate indication of the mileage assists a buyer in deciding on the safety and reliability of the vehicle; and
(4)motor vehicles move in, or affect, interstate and foreign commerce.
(b)The purposes of this chapter are—
(1)to prohibit tampering with motor vehicle odometers; and
(2)to provide safeguards to protect purchasers in the sale of motor vehicles with altered or reset odometers.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 32701(a)15:1981 (1st sentence).Oct. 20, 1972, Pub. L. 92–513, § 401, 86 Stat. 961. 32701(b)15:1981 (last sentence).
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
49 U.S.C. § 32701
Title 49 — Transportation
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73