Every year, about 452,000 used cars with false odometer readings are sold¹. By editing a fake lower odometer reading, fraudulent individuals or dealerships try to trick prospective buyers into paying more than what a car is truly worth. So if you’re planning to buy a used car, it’s necessary to check its real mileage and see if the odometer has been rolled back fraudulently. This guide will show you how to spot odometer fraud and protect yourself.

What is odometer rollback?

The odometer shows the distance a vehicle has traveled and its number is an important factor that determines a car’s value. The higher the odometer readings, the lower the vehicle’s value. Odometer rollback, or mileage rollback, means tampering a vehicle with an odometer reading that’s less than it actually does, and therefore the individual sellers or dealerships can sell it for a higher price. 

So how is an odometer rollback completed? There are two types of odometers, digital and mechanical (analog). Rolling back a traditional mechanical odometer can be easily done by turning back the digit gears. The process for the digital ones, however, may involve altering the circuit board or requiring specific rollback equipment. 

Method 1 – Get a vehicle history report

A vehicle history report can reveal a car’s mileage, ownership, titles, past accidents, value, and a variety of details, and give you a better insight into a vehicle’s functionality and durability. You can get it by looking up the car’s VIN with a dedicated tool. VIN is a unique 17-digit code usually located on the front of the driver’s side dashboard.

If you don’t have the VIN, a license plate lookup also works.

Option 1 – BeenVerified

BeenVerified is a reputable all-in-one information search website with an aim to help people discover, understand and use public data in their everyday lives. Powered by extensive vehicle data from government agencies, insurance and leading automotive industry partners, it enables you to track major events in the vehicle’s lifespan and alerts you to undisclosed issues.

1) Go to the BeenVerified VIN search page. Enter the car’s VIN and click Search.

2) Wait a couple of minutes as the website scans the matched vehicle. Once done, it will show you the last reported mileage together with a plethora of information such as the vehicle specifications, salvage records, maintenance history, market value, and so on. 

You may also see how the car’s odometer readings increase at different periods from the Potential Sales listings section. If the data mismatches with what you see on the dash, the odometer may have been altered. 

Apart from vehicle search, BeenVerified can assist you in verifying the sellers or buyers you’re dealing with. You can search by a person’s name, phone number, or email to pull their background information and discover their identities.

Option 2 – Bumper

With access to millions of up-to-date vehicle records, Bumper is a trustworthy vehicle history report provider approved by NMVTIS (National Motor Title Information System). For anyone looking to buy or sell a vehicle, Bumper delivers essential vehicle information including accidents, recalls, market value, and ownership history, empowering you to make an informed decision.

1) Visit the Bumper homepage. Enter a VIN number and click Search.

2) Open the report when it’s generated, which is user-friendly and easy to read, and consists of 15 categories. You may find:

Accident history – The data and details of vehicle accidents that required law enforcement or insurance intervention.
Sales listings – The price the car is listed for sales and the reported mileage.
Theft records – The date of theft and recovery, if a car was reported stolen.
Salvage listings – The car’s title history.
Market value – Estimated market price for your vehicle based on the past sales of similar vehicles.
AND MORE…

Method 2 – Pay attention to physical signs of tampering

While a VIN report is a more reliable measure of vehicle mileage, it’s not hard to spot the signs of a fake odometer. Even though an odometer is messed with, other parts of the car can still help you determine its real condition visibly.

First of all, if it’s an analog odometer, you could take a quick look at the numbers to check if they are readable and aligned properly. If they’re difficult to read, crooked, or have uneven spacing, the odometer may be manipulated. Also, rolling back a mechanical odometer requires disassembly of the dashboard, which may leave some traces such as scratches or fingerprints on the display, loose screws, etc. 

Besides, a heavily worn-out interior or excessive wear on the brake pedal, steering wheel, and floor mats could also suggest a car with a high mileage. If a car travels less than 20,000 miles, it’s likely to have the original set of tires. 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, an average of American drivers logged around 13,476 miles a year². Although the number may vary depending on the driver’s gender, age, location, and uses, it can give you an approximation of a vehicle’s mileage for its age. 

If you want to be absolutely sure about a vehicle’s condition, take it to a professional technician for a thorough inspection. They’re adept at spotting tampered internal components and have proper tools to identify a car’s real mileage. 

So that’s three simple ways to tell if a vehicle’s odometer has been rolled back. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Reference:
[1] NHTSA Odometer Fraud
[2] Average Annual Miles per Driver by Age Group by U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration