Car Care

Turning The Tables On Odometer Fraud

Posted: 4/29/2011

When buying a used car, be sure to ask for a Vehicle History Report and have a mechanic thoroughly inspect the car’s computer and any signs of wear and age prior to final purchase.

(NAPSI) - When it comes to fashion and music, some people think it’s fun to try to turn back the clock. However, when scam artists turn back a used car’s odometer, it’s no joke.

The motivation for such fraud is easy to see, since a vehicle with 40,000 miles on the odometer is usually more valuable than one with an odometer that reads 80,000 miles or more. It’s no surprise, then, that a growing number of sellers are trying to “turn back time” on their cars and trucks by changing the mileage on their odometer in an effort to inflate the resale value.

A Disturbing Trend

According to NHTSA, more than 450,000 cases of odometer rollbacks are reported annually, costing consumers more than $1 billion. New research results from Carfax show that the number of cars with rolled-back odometers has increased significantly nationwide over the last few years.

One factor in this growing trend, some say, is that the digital odometers used in the majority of today’s cars are easier to manipulate. Plus, there’s virtually no physical evidence of tampering. Buyers have to examine a vehicle for indications of wear to determine if the car’s overall condition is consistent with the mileage on the odometer.

Tips on Avoiding Fraud

Here are some tips to help car shoppers avoid buying a car with an odometer that’s been rolled back:

• Take a look at the wear on the pedals, steering wheel and floor mats to make sure it’s consistent with the mileage reading;

• Demand a Carfax Vehicle History Report from the seller;

• Have a trusted mechanic check the car’s computer and inspect the vehicle thoroughly for signs of wear and age prior to purchase.

Use Available Resources

According to Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax, odometer fraud is alive and well. Said Gamache, “Con men continually find ways to cheat the system, especially in a soft economy like this, and digital odometers are no exception. We cannot stress enough that consumers need to utilize every resource available to help protect them, starting with a Carfax Vehicle History Report. Simply asking the seller for a Carfax report and questions about the car helps separate the good guys from the bad guys.”

As a service to consumers, Carfax lets you check for potential odometer rollbacks free of charge at www.carfax.com/odo.