Revised July 12, 2012

Odometer Mileage Definitions

• AM (actual mileage)
  the actual mileage of the vehicle
   
• EL (excess of limits)
  the vehicle's mileage in excess of mechanical limits - relates to vehicles that have 5- or 6-digit analog or digital odometers that can record up to 99,999 or 999,999 miles
   
• NM (not the actual mileage)
  used when the odometer is not working or the original (MCO) vehicle engine has been replaced or rebuilt
   
• Analog odometer
  a wheel-type odometer, with a mechanism that spins to record mileage
   
• Digital odometer
  an electronic display of recorded mileage

Actual Mileage or Not Actual Mileage

Per PQU#139 (July 12, 2012), whoever has the legal ability to transfer title also has the ability to assert actual mileage (“to the best of my knowledge”), except when there is a gap in the vehicle’s ownership history such that the transferor cannot reasonably claim to have knowledge of the vehicle’s actual mileage.

For example:

• The personal representative of a vehicle owner who is deceased or otherwise incapacitated and unable to sign for himself may assert actual mileage (AM).

• However, when an abandoned vehicle is towed and title is subsequently acquired by the towing company using the towing lien process, the new owner cannot claim to know the vehicle’s actual mileage, and mileage must be recorded as NM (not actual mileage).

Do not use 888888

888888 is no longer to be used as an odometer reading for EL and NM odometer codes. The certified odometer reading will be the mileage with AM, EL or NM as the mileage code.

• A five-digit analog odometer reading 24357 will be recorded 24357 with either the EL or NM mileage code. EL would show that the vehicle has gone over 99,999 miles. There may be exceptions for show-type vehicles with documentation.
   
• A six-digit analog odometer can record up to 999,999 miles. The options would be either AM, EL or NM.
   
• Digital odometers require vehicle electrical power to verify odometer reading. These odometers are six-digit and can record up to 999,999 miles, so the options are AM, EL or NM.
   
• If a digital odometer cannot display the mileage it will be recorded as blank (do not enter zeroes), with the NM designation.
   
• When an Odometer Disclosure Statement (MVD-10187) is used with a transfer of a New Mexico title, the actual reading will be used with odometer codes AM, EL or NM. If the title of record shows 888888 as the odometer reading with NM or EL, the new processed title should be recorded with the mileage on the odometer if available, or left blank (do not enter zeroes) if not available, and the appropriate NM or EL code.
   
• An out-of-state vehicle may have ‘exempt’ or similar description recorded as the odometer mileage. In this case record the New Mexico processed title as recorded on the Affidavit of VIN with the code "NM."

Use "NM" if Previous Title Shows “Exempt” or “888888”

ALWAYS assign the code “NM” to a title if the previous title, or any transfer on the previous title indicates “Exempt” or “888888.”

• If the previous title is New Mexico (and a VIN Inspection is not required), leave the mileage blank (do not enter zeroes) and enter “NM.”
   
• If the previous title is an out-of-state title (so a VIN Inspection is required), use the numerical mileage from the VIN Inspection report and the “NM” code.

Use "EL" if Five-Digit Analog Odometer Statement Shows “EL”

Assign the code “EL” to the title if the vehicle has a five-digit analog odometer and the odometer statement reflects “EL.”