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How to fill out the Damage Disclosure in Massachusetts

A field-by-field walkthrough of the Massachusetts Damage Disclosure (Used Vehicle Damage Disclosure (M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼)) for licensed used car dealers — what goes in every section, who signs what, and the documents you attach. Verified against the official form as of June 2026.

Quick answer

Filling out the MA Damage Disclosure after a sale:

What it is
MA used-vehicle prior-damage disclosure (M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼)
Who completes it
Dealer discloses; buyer acknowledges receipt
Where to file it
Given to the buyer at sale; keep a signed copy
Processing time
Provided at the sale — not filed with the RMV
Cost
No state fee

This guide is informational and does not replace the official Massachusetts instructions. Always confirm the current form and procedure with the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation before you file.

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What the Damage Disclosure is and why it matters

Massachusetts law (M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼) requires a dealer selling a used vehicle to disclose, to the best of the dealer's knowledge, whether the vehicle has been damaged — when that damage exceeds the statutory threshold. A dealer who fails to disclose can be liable to the buyer, so this is a compliance item worth getting right, not a formality.

It's a short document, but it has teeth: you're certifying what you know about the car's history. This guide walks what goes on the disclosure, which damage categories to address, who signs, and how it fits alongside the other paperwork on a Massachusetts deal.

Unlike the RMV-1, the damage disclosure isn't a single state-issued PDF you file with the RMV — it's a written disclosure Massachusetts law requires a dealer to give the buyer when a used vehicle has been damaged beyond the statutory threshold. There's no official numbered form, so dealers use a compliant disclosure document; DealerVLO generates one pre-filled from the deal. Because the threshold and wording carry legal weight, have a Massachusetts attorney review your disclosure template before relying on it.

Documents to have before you start

Gather these before you complete the Damage Disclosure. A missing attachment is the number-one reason the the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation bounces a title application back.

  • The vehicle's titleCheck for any salvage, reconstructed, or rebuilt brand from any state before you disclose.
  • A vehicle history reportRun NMVTIS / Carfax / AutoCheck so your disclosure reflects what's reasonably knowable.
  • Your own intake / reconditioning recordsFrame work, airbag service, flood/fire notes, or engine/transmission replacement you performed or were told about.
  • The completed disclosure documentPre-filled with the vehicle and ready for the dealer to mark each category and sign.

Damage Disclosure, section by section

Who fills it:You (dealer)Buyer

Vehicle

Identifies the car the disclosure applies to. This pre-fills from the deal in DealerVLO; verify the VIN against the title.

FieldWho fills it
Year / Make / Model
You (dealer)
Stock number
You (dealer)
VIN
Match the title and the vehicle.
You (dealer)
Odometer at sale
You (dealer)
Date of sale
You (dealer)

The disclosure — mark each category Yes or No

To the best of your knowledge as the dealer, mark whether the vehicle has been damaged or repaired for each of these. Mark every line — don't leave any blank — and answer honestly based on the title and history you have.

FieldWho fills it
Salvage, reconstructed, or rebuilt title (any state)
You (dealer)
Frame or unibody damage requiring straightening or major repair
You (dealer)
Fire damage
You (dealer)
Flood or water damage
You (dealer)
Hail damage
You (dealer)
Collision damage where repair cost exceeded the statutory threshold
You (dealer)
Airbag deployment not replaced / serviced
You (dealer)
Replacement or major repair of engine or transmission
You (dealer)

Description of damage

If you answered Yes to any category, describe the damage and repair in the open field. Be specific — "front-end collision, frame straightened and repainted, 2022" is far better than "prior damage."

FieldWho fills it
Damage / repair description
Required whenever any category is marked Yes.
You (dealer)

Acknowledgments and signatures

The buyer acknowledges receiving the disclosure (understanding the dealer's knowledge is limited to available records), and the dealer certifies the information is accurate as of the sale date. Both sign at the desk.

FieldWho fills it
Buyer acknowledgment + signature
Buyer
Dealer certification + signature
You (dealer)

Common Damage Disclosure mistakes that cause rejections

Treating the disclosure as optional

M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼ requires it when the vehicle was damaged beyond the statutory threshold. Skipping it — or burying it — exposes you to liability to the buyer. When in doubt, disclose.

Disclosing "to the best of your knowledge" without actually checking

The standard is your reasonable knowledge. Check the title for brands and run a history report before you sign — a disclosure that ignores readily available records won't protect you.

Leaving categories blank instead of marking No

Mark every line Yes or No. Blanks read as evasive and undercut the certification. If a category truly doesn't apply, mark No.

Confusing it with the Buyers Guide or warranty disclosure

The damage disclosure, the FTC Buyers Guide, and the MA Used Vehicle Warranty disclosure are three separate documents. A compliant MA sale needs all that apply — see the MA paperwork checklist.

Not keeping a signed copy

Keep the signed disclosure in the deal jacket. If a buyer later claims you hid damage, the signed acknowledgment is your record that you disclosed what you knew.

Common questions

What is the Massachusetts used vehicle damage disclosure?+

It's a written disclosure required by M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼ in which a Massachusetts dealer states, to the best of their knowledge, whether a used vehicle has been damaged (salvage/rebuilt title, frame damage, fire, flood, hail, major collision, airbag, engine/transmission). It's given to the buyer at the sale, not filed with the RMV.

When is the damage disclosure required?+

When a used vehicle being sold by a dealer has been damaged beyond the statutory threshold set by M.G.L. c. 90 § 7N¼. Many dealers provide it on every used sale as a matter of practice, because it documents what you disclosed and limits later disputes.

Is there a dollar threshold for the disclosure?+

The statute sets the threshold that triggers the disclosure obligation. Because the exact figure and wording carry legal weight and can change, confirm the current threshold with the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs or a Massachusetts attorney rather than relying on a number from a third-party site.

Who fills out the damage disclosure — the dealer or the buyer?+

The dealer completes and certifies it, marking each damage category based on the title and the vehicle history. The buyer signs to acknowledge they received it. The disclosure reflects the dealer's knowledge as of the sale date.

Does the damage disclosure replace the FTC Buyers Guide?+

No. They're separate documents. The FTC Buyers Guide (federal) covers the warranty/as-is status; the MA damage disclosure (state) covers prior damage history. A compliant Massachusetts sale typically needs both, plus the Used Vehicle Warranty disclosure — see our MA paperwork checklist.

Do I file the damage disclosure with the RMV?+

No. It's given to the buyer at the time of sale and you keep a signed copy in the deal jacket. It is not part of the RMV-1 title and registration package.

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