Odometer Tampering

Odometer tampering, also known as "clocking" or "rolling-back" has become more prevalent in recent years with the demand for low mileage cars in the used-car market. The federal government estimates that over 4 billion dollars per year (an amount greater than the loss caused by auto theft) is lost as a result of odometer fraud.

By rolling the odometer back, thieves are adding thousands of dollars of illicit profit into the price of a used vehicle. Due to the fact that the vehicle has been driven more than the odometer shows, the unsuspecting buyer will be forced to pay for needed repairs and maintenance sooner than anticipated.

Odometer tampering is a federal offense. Under the federal Truth in Mileage Act, odometer disclosure is required on the motor vehicle's Certificate of Title, or on an Odometer Disclosure Statement for older vehicles.

In cases where the odometer is damaged, it is illegal to repair, replace, or reset the odometer to show a different mileage reading than the actual mileage on the vehicle. If the mileage reading on the repaired or replaced gauge cannot be adjusted to reflect the true mileage, the odometer must be set to zero and a sticker indicating the true mileage before service must be attached to the left door frame of the motor vehicle. When the vehicle is sold, the disclosure statement must indicate the odometer error.

You can protect yourself from odometer tampering by following these few simple suggestions.

• Get a mileage disclosure statement.
• Compare the mileage shown on the odometer of the vehicle to the written disclosure statement. Check the mileage readings on titles, prior odometer disclosure statements, warranties, service records, etc. for any discrepancies or signs of alteration. Beware if the mileage statements are "unavailable"- dealers are required to keep such records for 5 years.
• Examine the motor vehicle for clues of tampering. Look for the physical signs of tampering, such as scratches or marks on the odometer, badly misaligned digits on the odometer, missing or loose screws, etc. Look for oil change or inspection stickers under the hood or in the door, and for warranty documents or service records in the glove box. Check the tires and other parts of the vehicle to see if the wear and tear evident on the vehicle corresponds to the mileage being represented on the odometer. Have the vehicle inspected by a reputable mechanic prior to purchase.
• Check the ownership history of the motor vehicle. Former owners are often the best sources for information about the vehicle's mileage, condition, and performance.

If you think that someone has misrepresented your vehicle's mileage, contact your local office of consumer affairs.