The Truth Behind Fake Odometer Readings: Exposing the Hidden Risk in Car Buying

The Expert Podcast

What is Odometer Tampering?

• Odometer tampering is the act of rolling back the mileage of a vehicle to make it appear newer and in better condition than it is. This misleads buyers into thinking the car has fewer miles, often leading them to pay more.

How Common Is Odometer Tampering?

• According to a researcher at Carfax, over 28,000 vehicles in Wisconsin alone have tampered odometers.

History of Odometer Tampering:

• In the past, odometer tampering was easy to do. In the 70s and 80s, you could manually roll back the odometer with simple tools like a dental pick.
• Digital odometers came next, which were harder to tamper with, but now technology has made it easier to roll back digital odometers using devices available for purchase online.

How Does Odometer Tampering Work Today?

• Today, you can buy a small device (e.g., on eBay) to plug into your car and roll back the odometer. However, when the car undergoes service, emissions testing, or is sold again, the mileage gets recorded, and if it doesn’t match the tampered reading, it raises red flags.

How to Protect Yourself from Buying a Tampered Vehicle:

• Always ensure that you get detailed mileage history before purchasing a vehicle.
• CARFAX is a reliable source for this, but it’s also recommended to check the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) for a more complete history of mileage and other important vehicle records.

Key Takeaway:

• Double-check all available records to confirm the vehicle's true mileage and avoid falling victim to odometer fraud.