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TCA 39-14-132

Misrepresentation of mileage on used motor vehicle odometer

MISDEMEANOR AClass A Misdemeanor
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

This statute prohibits rolling back a car's odometer—changing the mileage reading on a used vehicle to show fewer miles than it actually has in order to defraud a buyer. It allows for legitimate odometer repair only if the actual mileage is preserved with a permanent label. A violation is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and/or a fine up to $2,500.

Penalty Details

ClassificationClass A Misdemeanor
Maximum Jail11 months 29 days
Maximum Fine$2,500
Penalty SummaryClass A misdemeanor; 11 months 29 days; fine up to $2,500
(a) No person or agent of any person shall misrepresent the mileage on a used motor vehicle which is offered for sale, trade-in or exchange by changing the mileage registering instrument of a used motor vehicle so as to show a lesser mileage reading than that recorded by the instrument; provided, that this shall not be construed to prevent the service, repair or replacement of the mileage registering instrument, which, by reason of normal use, wear or through damage, requires service, repair or replacement. (b) (1) A person may service, repair, or replace an odometer of a motor vehicle if the mileage registered by the odometer remains the same as before the service, repair or replacement. If the mileage cannot remain the same after every reasonable attempt to set the odometer to the mileage registered prior to the service, repair or replacement: (A) The person shall adjust the odometer to read zero (0); and (B) The owner of the vehicle or agent of the owner shall affix to the left door frame of the vehicle a secure, permanent plate or sticker conforming with federal standards which contains the mileage before the service, repair or replacement and the date of the service, repair or replacement. (2) A person may not, with intent to defraud, remove or alter a notice attached to a motor vehicle as required by this section. (c) A violation of this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

MISDEMEANOR A
TCA Section39-14-132
Max Jail11 months 29 days
Max Fine$2,500