Dealer Fraud

Rolling back car’s odometer to increase its resale value is one of the oldest tricks in the book but there are ways for consumers to detect this dealer scam.

Odometer rollback is harder today than it was thanks to computer technology and the availability of vehicle history reports. Some savvy individuals and unethical car dealers, however, are finding new ways to turn back the clock on the cars by rolling back their odometers and selling them for more than they’re worth.

To help consumers to detect signs of  their car’s odometer  tampering, we’ve put together a list of things to look for.

• First of all, use CarFax or AutoCheck to request a copy of the vehicle history report. This includes state registration and emission inspection data and much more.

• Examine the dashboard for scratch marks or loose screws. They could indicate that your odometer has been tampered with. However, it’s a sign of normal maintenance as well including light bulb replacement.

• If the odometer is of the older, analog variety rather than digital, then check to see if the mileage numbers are aligned. Give the 10,000 digit a careful examination.

• Pay attention whether during a test drive the car odometer sticks or not.

• Check for service stickers (tune up, oil change, etc.) that may have the vehicles true mileage. Check under the car’s hood and inside the door.

• Check the owner’s manual for maintenance records. If it appears that pages were removed, ask about it. This is a red flag.

• If you’re purchasing the car from a dealership, ask whether they have done a computer check. In case they have done, find out whether they have found any warranty records.

• Ask for a moment to look at the vehicle’s title. Look closely for signs the mileage has been altered.

• Note the title’s issue date. Was the vehicle sold soon it was issued? Be careful if it was. This is a common way curbstoners mask a vehicle’s actual mileage.

• Are there signs of wear? Check the carpet, arm rests, steering wheel, and pedals. A lot of wear could be a sign the car has more miles on it than the odometer indicates. If any of these parts look new, too new, it could be a sign the owner is trying to hide something, that is a sign of odometer fraud.

• Ask a trusted mechanic to do a vehicle inspection. The inspection includes looking for signs of odometer tampering.

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