Odometer and Mileage Check by VIN
Looking to buy a used car? Get an odometer rollback check to check the mileage history and detect potential odometer fraud.
Why Do People Roll Back Odometers?
It’s both surprising and common to see sellers manipulate the odometer readings of the vehicles they sell. Dealers often do this to inflate the value of their cars.
For instance, a 2013 Toyota Alphard with 150,000 miles might be valued at around $13,000, whereas a similar model with slightly higher mileage could cost a few hundred dollars less.
The problem arises when a dealer rolls back the odometer reading to 100,000 miles, allowing them to sell the vehicle at a price well above its true worth, thus pocketing extra profit.
Unbeknownst to the buyer, purchasing a vehicle with a tampered odometer can lead to significant future maintenance costs, as the underlying wear and tear on the car’s components may not match the misleading mileage.
Our findings show these states have the highest percentage of rollback odometer cases.
Why is the Mileage Important in a Used Car?
Mileage is critical in evaluating a used car, as it indicates its utilization. A higher mileage reading signifies that the vehicle’s various moving components have been subjected to more extensive operation, resulting in greater wear and tear over time.
Therefore, understanding the implications of mileage and the average mileage per year is crucial for assessing the vehicle’s overall condition and value.
How Can You Detect Odometer Roll Back?
To detect odometer rollback fraud, you can use these ways to find out before purchasing the vehicle.
Get a Vehicle History Report
Obtaining a detailed vehicle history report upon purchasing a car is easy and can take minutes. Just enter the VIN into the search bar and watch the magic happen.
Our report doesn’t only include the vehicle’s odometer and mileage; see the table below for the other reports included in the vehicle history report.
- Odometer Roll Back: To see if the dealers have rolled back the vehicle’s odometer.
- Ownership History: Want to see how many previous owners the car has? We have the records.
- Accident History: Verifying if the vehicle has been involved in an accident
- Auction and Sales History: Check if the vehicle was sold at auction and examine its sales history. Then, head to the MSRP by VIN to evaluate the car’s initial price for accurate pricing insights.
- Lien and Loan History: It’s important to check the vehicle’s lien or loan history to avoid outrageous financial burdens in the future.
- Service and Repair History: Track the car’s service and repair history to know when to put the car into service. Check to see if warranties still cover the vehicle.
The vehicle history report includes odometer records and highlights special cases, like exempt mileage on the title, which may not always appear as expected.
Use a Computer Diagnosis
Unfortunately, rolling back the odometer on modern cars is relatively easy. The good news is that the mileage footage may stored in other vehicle electronic controls, usually in odd places like seat memory or parking assistance tools.
Running the computer diagnostic involves reading the recorded mileage in the ECU devices. The readings should be close to the number shown in the instrument cluster, as those are not synchronized in real time.
While the readings provided eye-opening insight, they may not perfectly match those from the ECU and the instrument cluster. Even minor changes, such as upgrading the wheel size, can disrupt the accuracy of the odometer readings. To fully understand your car’s configuration, like transmission, drive train, interior, paint code, MSRP, and other information, you can get the vehicle build sheet.
Physical Inspection of the Car
To inspect a car for odometer fraud, examine the odometer closely for signs of tampering, such as misaligned numbers or gaps between digits. Then, compare any misalignment with the car’s overall condition, including tire wear and interior features, relative to the displayed mileage.
- Windshield: Examine the windscreen to see if there are any chips and scratches from debris
- Pedals: It is important to check the pedals to see any worn-down.
- Steering wheels: Check the overall condition of the steering wheel to see any broken things in it.
- Driver seat: Try to sit in the driver’s seat while examining the vehicle’s interior features, including the driver’s seat.
Exhaust: As one of the important parts of the car, check if the exhaust is working properly.
Where to Report Odometer Fraud?
Government channels, such as the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, can be used to report odometer fraud.
The Odometer Fraud Investigation office operates through four regional locations: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, and Western. Each office is staffed with skilled criminal investigators and administrative personnel. The office primarily aims to lower vehicle ownership costs by deterring odometer fraud under federal laws and regulations.
Here are the state agencies in charge of odometer fraud:
How Can You Detect Odometer Roll Back?
The table below highlights the main differences between Carfax and Detailed Vehicle History Odometer checks, comparing each service’s accuracy, methods, and features.
| Feature | CarFax | Detailed Vehicle History |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | Actual mileage reading is not guaranteed | Guarantee of full coverage of the odometer and mileage-driven |
| Odometer Inspection | No direct odometer reading or inspection | Directly reports the odometer reading and inspection |
| Mileage Discrepancy Detection | Only flags potential rolled odometer by mileage history | Explicitly notifies if a rolled-back odometer is detected |
| Methodology | Analyzed historically recorded mileage | Uses the window sticker lookup to get the data, including the odometer report. |
| Scope of Report | Focus on detecting odometer tampering | Provides detailed insights into the actual mileage and MSRP by VIN. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is odometer rollback a felony?
Yes, odometer rollback is a felony. In the US, those who do it can be reported to the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, charged up to three years in prison, and fined at least $10,000 per vehicle. In addition, sellers who roll back the odometer can lose their dealer’s license.
Is it possible to roll back a digital odometer?
Yes, it is possible to roll back a digital odometer. While it’s possible to do such a dishonest act, it is prohibited as you can be charged with a felony.
How can I check the real mileage of a car?
A vehicle history report can help you check the car’s actual mileage, past accident history, ownership history, flood and hail damages, and more. Detailed Vehicle History offers a full report using the vehicle’s VIN, license plate, year, make, and model.
How can I tell if the odometer has been rolled back?
It is now easy to tell if the vehicle’s odometer has been rolled back. Generate a detailed vehicle history report to determine the vehicle’s accurate mileage.
