When buying a used car you probably realize that it can’t have the same technical condition as a brand new one. However, you may want to make sure you are going to make a good purchase. There are many aspects of a car that you need to take into consideration: the condition of bodywork, how the engine runs and whether gears are shifted smoothly, interior of a vehicle, its suspension, etc.
Make sure that there are no leaks of oil or brake fluid, the wheels are aligned and the car does not pull to either side of the road. Last but not least, pay attention to the odometer information. This instrument shows the total distance that a car has traveled and is a better indicator of the state of wear than the year when a vehicle was produced.
What is Odometer Fraud?
Although odometers come in mechanical, electromechanical, and digital forms, none are entirely tamper-proof. Digital units are generally harder to alter – and tampering is illegal under the Federal Odometer Act (49 U.S.C. Chapter 327) – but determined actors may still manipulate readings. Importantly, mileage rollback isn’t the only tactic used to make a vehicle appear “younger”; cosmetic detailing, replacing worn components, or selective record-keeping can create a similar impression. Because odometer fraud does occur, buyers should cross-check mileage against title and registration records, service histories, inspection reports, and a trusted vehicle-history report, and consider a professional pre-purchase inspection; note that U.S. odometer disclosure rules are implemented in 49 CFR Part 580.
Some dishonest car owners and dealers tamper with the odometer reading so that potential customers are not taken aback by the true car mileage because high mileage usually signifies an upcoming major repair and thus bigger investment required from a potential buyer than just the value of the car. Surely, you do not want to find yourself in a situation when you become a victim of such a fraud.
Imagine buying a car and paying thousands of dollars hoping it will last you another 75,000 miles, but they are already there! In such a case you take a huge risk, as highly exploited cars might have serious breakdowns of the engine, transmission, turbo or clutch a couple of months after your purchase, even if on the surface everything looks alright.
How to Check a Car’s True Mileage
You might ask, how to check the odometer? What to do if the odometer is rolled back? Verifying a car’s mileage isn’t easy. Odometer fraud is often subtle and hard to identify. Below are clues that may indicate an odometer has been tampered with.
- Check mileage against vehicle age. In the U.S., the typical driver averages about 13,000 – 14,000 miles per year (mileage varies by age and sex – men around 16,500 miles, women around 10,000). As a rule of thumb, multiply ~12,000 – 15,000 miles by the vehicle’s age to get a reasonable range. If the odometer reading is far below that range without solid documentation (e.g., service records, state inspection/DMV entries), treat it as a red flag. For example, a 10-year-old vehicle showing only 50,000 miles is unusually low – verify the history before you buy.
- Wear of inner parts. Such parts as pedals, steering wheel, seat upholstery and plastic panels usually show traces of use. Just the same, if a car shows low mileage and has a shabby wheel, worn-out seat fabric/leather or scuffed floor, its odometer might have been tampered with. On the other hand, brand new shiny parts in a used car should also get your attention. Could they have been replaced because of being completely worn down? If so, for how long can those items last before they wear out?
- Tire condition. Around 15,000 miles, light tread wear doesn’t prove recent replacement – OE tire life varies and often exceeds 18,000 miles. Check the DOT date, confirm all four match (brand/model and wear), measure tread depth, and compare with service records; inconsistencies are red flags.
- In case with mechanical odometers digits won’t be aligned (in one straight line) after the instrument has been tampered with.
- Look for stickers under the hood. A seller might have overlooked one of the stickers that show mileage at the time when replacement of oil or other parts was made.
- Dealers may keep service histories with odometer readings, but there is no single “official mileage” source. Ask the dealer for maintenance invoices and digital service logs, then verify those readings against government records – state DMV title/registration data and inspection or emissions reports – and an NMVTIS-based vehicle history report. Cross-check dates and mileages; any gaps, out-of-sequence values, or undocumented cluster replacements are red flags.
All of the above steps might be useful when trying to uncover odometer fraud, however, they might not be effective in establishing it. For example, unusual upholstery wear could be caused by an overweight driver, while odometer reading could be true. Still, it would arise your suspicion.
Someone could have pampered their car, so there are no traces of wear and tear, when in fact the true mileage was so high that the seller decided to roll it back to be able to sell a vehicle. Therefore, we highly recommend conducting proper odometer check by obtaining a full vehicle report.
Vehicle History Report
A vehicle history report provides an objective view of a used car’s past based on official records: title and brand history (e.g., junk/salvage/rebuilt and insurance total-loss events), the most recent odometer reading on record, and other title-related updates (including prior title transfers where available). It typically does not include service/maintenance records, aftermarket modifications, or manufacturer recalls/defects; check those with the automaker or NHTSA. You can check a car’s history by entering its VIN in the search field – results appear in seconds.
Vehicle history reports can flag odometer rollbacks but can’t certify originality. Some sources may mark prior fleet use (rental/taxi/police), yet NMVTIS doesn’t guarantee this. Treat it as a lead – confirm with title/registration or service records; fleet cars typically show higher mileage and harsher duty.
In case odometer reading has been tampered with, you will discover it during your check. Any suspicious discrepancies in odometer data during the last event mentioned in the report and the current reading should be noted by you. For instance, if two years ago a vehicle was sold with mileage of 35,000 miles and now you are looking at the same car that has 37,000 miles, evidently you cannot trust those figures.
VIN history report helps identify, as it gathers and analyzes information from a number of reliable sources such as National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), car manufacturers, insurance agencies, auto auctions, car dealers, collision repair firms, inspection stations, etc.
By conducting a background check you save yourself money and time. Firstly, you do not have to go and see a car retailer if you find out that the information provided by him is not accurate. You also ensure yourself against a risky purchase that might cause huge unforeseen expenses after you buy a used car.
If You Suspect Odometer Fraud
Act fast, document everything, and notify the right authorities. Odometer tampering is a federal offense (49 U.S.C. Chapter 327) and mileage disclosure is regulated (49 CFR Part 580). The steps below help you preserve evidence and start a paper trail.
- Document immediately. Photograph the instrument cluster (ignition on), any inspection/maintenance stickers, service booklets, and the VIN plate. Save the bill of sale, title, odometer disclosure, any ads/screenshots, and a recent NMVTIS-based report.
- Contact the seller in writing. State the facts, attach copies of evidence, and request a remedy (rescission/refund or price adjustment) by a clear deadline. Keep copies of all emails/letters.
- Report it.
- Your state’s odometer-fraud unit: State Enforcement Agencies list.
- NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236 (TTY: 888-275-9171).
- Tell your lender/insurer (if applicable). Notify them that the transaction is in dispute and ask how to preserve your rights while the case is reviewed.
- Preserve the condition. Do not alter or replace the odometer, and don’t sign any “corrected” disclosure you disagree with. Keep a simple mileage log from today forward.
Odometer Fraud: Quick Facts
- ≈452,000 vehicles are sold each year with false odometer readings.
- Over $1 billion in annual consumer losses tied to odometer fraud.
- 3.47% chance of odometer fraud within the first 11 years of a vehicle’s life.
- 20-Year Disclosure Rule: For Model Year 2011 and newer, federal law requires an odometer disclosure at every transfer of ownership for the first 20 years (effective Jan 1, 2021).
- Typical U.S. driving: about 13,476 miles/driver/year (FHWA). Use this as a sanity check—large deviations should be explained by records.