How to Tell If a Used Car Odometer Has Been Tampered With
After nearly a year of the pandemic, many of those who used public transport to get around in Before Times at least thought about taking the plunge and buying a car. But that’s not exactly what we’re doing financially right now, which makes used cars especially popular this year.
Of course, those who sell used cars want to get the most out of them. And apparently setting the car’s odometer backwards (to make it look like it has less mileage than it actually does) isn’t just something that happens in dodgy car dealerships on TV and in movies. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 450,000 vehicles are sold annually with false odometer readings, costing customers more than $ 1 billion a year.
So how do you know if the used car you have your eye on is really as good as it sounds? Here are some ways to determine if someone has tampered with your odometer.
How to detect odometer fraud
If this is your first time buying a car, do a little research to find out the cost of a particular car make and model in a particular year. And if you’re unsure of where to start, check out our guide to determine how much your car is worth . Therefore, when buying used cars, make sure the price, condition, and mileage seem to be at least reasonable.
On the news segment of WCNC, NBC’s Charlotte subsidiary, a Carfax technician gave an example. The 2007 Chevy Silverado with 265,000 miles was priced at around $ 14,000. But once the digital odometer rolls back to 85,000 miles, the truck’s value rises to $ 23,000.
Fortunately, NHTSA has a few tips for avoiding these situations:
- Ask to show the name and compare the mileage on it with the car’s odometer. Be sure to read the heading carefully if the mileage indication seems unclear or difficult to read.
- Compare the odometer mileage with the mileage reported on the vehicle’s maintenance or inspection records. Also look for oil change and maintenance decals on windows or door frames, in the glove box, or under the hood.
- Make sure the numbers on the odometer scale are aligned correctly. If they are crooked, have gaps, or wiggle when you bang your hand on the dashboard, skip the purchase.
- Examine the tires. If your car’s odometer reads 20,000 or less, it must have original tires.
- Look at the wear on the vehicle, especially on the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals, to make sure it matches and matches the odometer mileage.
- Request a vehicle history report to check for odometer differences in vehicle history. If the seller does not have a vehicle history report, use the vehicle’s VIN to order a vehicle history report online.
- If you suspect fraud, contact your state’s law enforcement agency.
Of course, even if you do everything on the list, it doesn’t guarantee an accurate odometer. But knowing what to look for increases your chances of getting the most out of your used car.