In an episode of The Simpsons, Bart Simpson gets an “F” on his test. However, he uses a marker to turn the “F” into an “A”, to trick his parents into thinking he had a better grade. This is similar to a car seller who altered a vehicle’s odometer to make it seem like it has lower mileage.
Since 2008, Big Valley Auto Auction has had thousands of cars run through our lanes. Within our time in the automotive industry, we’ve stayed up to date with odometer fraud. It’s a common occurrence and we want to help prevent you from falling victim.
In this article, you’re going to learn what odometer fraud is and how you can recognize it.
After reading this article, you’ll have the information needed to recognize signs of odometer tampering and protect yourself from odometer fraud.
What is an Odometer?
An odometer is a device that is used to measure the distance a vehicle has traveled. You can find the odometer on the dashboard of a vehicle.
What is Odometer Fraud?
Odometer fraud is when somebody alters or rolls back odometers to make the vehicle appear like it has lower mileage than it actually does. People do this as a way to increase their vehicle’s resale value.
How Can I Recognize Odometer Fraud?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with false odometer readings. Here are a few ways you can check to see if your vehicle has had its odometer altered:
- Compare the mileage on the odometer to the mileage on the vehicle’s title.
- Compare the mileage on the odometer to the mileage on the vehicle’s inspection records.
- Request a vehicle history report to check for odometer discrepancies in the vehicle’s history.
- The numbers should be readable.
- There should be no gaps between the numbers.
- The numbers should not be crooked.
If a vehicle has a digital odometer, checking its condition and history report would be the best way to determine whether the vehicle has had its odometer altered.
Are There Laws Against Odometer Fraud?
In 1986, the Federal Truth in Mileage Act was passed. This law aims to protect buyers from dishonest actions by making it necessary for sellers of cars to announce the true mileage shown on the odometer when selling. It also states that if there's any difference in the odometer reading, the seller must inform the buyer in writing.
What is the Penalty for Odometer Fraud?
A federal odometer fraud conviction can include fines up to $10,000 for each violation and a maximum penalty of up to $1,000,000. Any person guilty of odometer fraud can also face up to 3 years in prison.
Do I Know How to Recognize Odometer Fraud?
Recognizing odometer fraud can be difficult. However, using documents like the vehicle’s title, inspection records, and history report could make the process easier by helping you spot any discrepancies in mileage.
If you’re a first-time buyer who wants to avoid this situation, you can use this article as a guide to help you identify odometer fraud.
Now that you know how to recognize odometer fraud, learn how you can tell if a vehicle’s VIN number has been altered.
