Before buying a used car, it should be checked for several aspects. One of them is mileage. Unfortunately, these days many buyers are getting scammed by an odometer rollback tactic. Why? To increase the selling price of the used car. Unfortunately, this is a common problem for buyers that is difficult to avoid. However, nothing is impossible if you know what precautions to take. Stay to find out how to be smarter than a dishonest seller.
What is Odometer Fraud?
Odometer fraud or busting miles involves the illegal manipulation of a vehicle’s odometer to display a lower mileage than the car has actually traveled. This fraudulent activity is done to make the vehicle seem newer and better maintained than it is. Cars with lower mileage are typically more appealing to buyers and command higher prices. However, buying one with falsified mileage can lead to expensive repairs, safety risks, and reduced resale value.
According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2002, about 450,000 cars are sold each year in the U.S. with fake odometer readings. This costs car buyers over $1 billion annually. One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from odometer fraud is by using a free title check by VIN to check the vehicle’s history before purchasing.
How a VIN Check Helps Detect Odometer Fraud
Odometer fraud dates back to the day when odometers were put in cars. Now most modern cars have digital mileage counters but this fact doesn’t stop people from committing frauds. Let’s explore the ways to detect them in time with the help of a VIN check:
- Ownership history: Multiple owners in a short period of time? Not good. If there is a resale cycle, it means that the buyers are trying to get rid of the car after noticing the tampering.
- Service records: Compare the odometer readings from each inspection to spot any discrepancies.
- Vehicle’s age: If there is an inconsistency between the age and a suspiciously low mileage, this is a strong indicator of the possible fraud.
- Title checks: Another sign of a scam is the mismatch between the mileage a previous owner wrote down and the current one.
What to Do if You Suspect Odometer Fraud
Overpaying for a car that isn’t worth it and being scammed is frustrating to deal with. So if, after a thorough check, you suspect that there is an odometer fraud in place, you should act. Odometer rollback is illegal so you immediately have to report it to NHTSA. It has a separate unit responsible for investigating and punishing the fraudsters. Remember that by passing the case to the authorities, you help prevent others from being scammed. As an alternative to contacting NHTSA, you can always call the police, and they will help you find the right channels to deal with your situation.