Carfax research suggests that north of 2.1 million vehicles on the road are victims of odometer tampering. It happens when someone rolls back the odometer so that a car appears to have less mileage than it actually does. You don’t want to be another statistic and buy such a car.
Unfortunately, Odometer Tampering Is Easier Than You Might Think
Rolling back the mileage counter is easier than you may realize — especially on digital odometers. Bad actors can use rollback tools, connect them to a car’s electronic circuit, and change the odometer count. They can also remove the car’s circuit board to do the same thing.
It’s Not Just Wrong — It’s Against the Law
Odometer tampering isn’t just dishonest—it’s also a federal crime. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the laws on the books demand that the seller list the odometer mileage in writing on the title and give it to the buyer after a sale. However, this does not apply to vehicles 20 years old or older. So, it’s buyer beware, as always.
If you’re in the market for a used vehicle, here are 14 signs of possible odometer tampering.
Unbelievably Low Mileage, Given the Age of the Car
One source says Americans drive an average of 14,200+ miles annually. That means a 15-year-old car should have north of 200,000 miles. If you find a 15-year-old vehicle with 25,000 miles on the odometer, that should be a red flag. It’s not proof of odometer fraud since someone might have parked it in a barn or field for a decade, but proceed cautiously and ask questions.
The federal government estimates that 450,000+ vehicles are sold annually with false odometer readings and that the crime costs American car buyers over $1 billion annually. You don’t want to be one of the victims.
Dashboard Looks Rough
Another possible sign of odometer tampering is noticeable wear and tear on the dashboard. This might suggest that someone ripped open the dashboard to access the odometer for nefarious purposes.
Low Mileage Is Betrayed By Wear and Tear
You’ll also want to observe the vehicle’s interior. If the odometer shows low mileage, you’ll expect the car’s interior to match that. So, if there’s a lot of wear and tear, rips in the seats and upholstery, and faded surfaces, that should set off alarm bells in your head.
Price Is Way Too Good to Be True
If something’s too good to be true, it probably is. That applies to buying a used car. A dishonest car seller who rolls back the odometer might list the vehicle for an absurdly low price. Use a resource like Kelley Blue Book to inform yourself about the price ranges for specific vehicles. If a seller’s price is way lower than one would expect to pay, exercise caution.
Mileage Contradicts the Vehicle’s History Report
Get a Carfax or an alternative vehicle history report for any used car you’re considering. It can help you detect possible odometer tampering. You can check the odometer listed on the vehicle history report and determine if it’s consistent with the car’s odometer reading.
Electrical Issues Are Wreaking Havoc
If someone removes the circuit board to tamper with the odometer, electrical problems could occur when they put the circuit board back. If you notice electrical issues like flickering lights while checking out a used car, dig deeper to see if odometer tampering might be the cause.
Signs of Physical Tampering In Manual Odometers
Digital odometers don’t have moving parts, so it’s hard to detect if they’ve been tampered with. But not so with manual odometers. If a used car you’re looking at has a manual odometer, inspect the odometer’s readout. Gaps or misaligned numbers are a red flag.
Seller Isn’t Giving Sufficient Information
If you pose legitimate questions about the odometer reading and the seller won’t provide anything of substance, that’s a serious problem. You shouldn’t look the other way. If the answers are unsatisfactory, that’s reason enough to back away.
Car’s Exterior Looks Older Than the Mileage Suggests It Should
If the odometer says one thing but the car’s exterior says another, the odds are the exterior is telling the truth. Don’t ignore exterior signs of wear and tear on the tires, the paint, or the undercarriage if they contradict the odometer reading.
Service Stickers Tell a Different Story
Sometimes dishonest car sellers slip up. One way is by leaving service stickers attached to the windshield. If there are old stickers for oil changes that list the odometer reading, cross-reference that information with the car’s current odometer reading
Diagnostic Scanners Reveal Discrepancies
A diagnostic scanner could be a godsend if you want to determine if odometer tampering is afoot. Some modern cars store mileage information in various locations — and a diagnostic scanner might reveal the car’s true mileage.
Engine Bay Reveals Signs of Wear and Tear
Take a look under the hood. If the wiring, belts, hoses, and other components show wear and tear that is inconsistent with the super-low mileage on the odometer, that should make you pause. The seller might be trying to pull a fast one.
Oils and Fluids Are Dark
A vehicle with low mileage shouldn’t have dirty oils and fluids. If, while checking under the hood, you notice the engine oil, transmission oil, or brake fluid is dirty, dark, and well-used, that might suggest the vehicle is older than the seller indicates. Leaks of any kind could be a telltale sign of a vehicle that is older than the odometer reading suggests.
Tires Are Mismatched
Yet another sign that the odometer might have been rolled back is if you notice mismatched tires. A vehicle with low miles should still have the original tires. So, mismatched tires are a red flag.
Odometer Tampering Is a Crime — Don’t Become the Next Victim
Although tampering with an odometer is against the law, it still happens. If you’re in the market for a used car, beware. These 14 tips will help ensure you don’t become another statistic.
More From Driver’s Drift
15 Common Tire Brands That Don’t Deliver on Quality
16 Used SUVs to Avoid (Unless You’re After a Money Pit)
15 Compelling Reasons to Avoid Buying a Car With a Sunroof
15 Car Services You Don’t Really Need and Are Just Wasting Money On
