OT: Checking odometer for potential fraud?
09-08-2003, 09:21 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Houston, Tx, USA
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OT: Checking odometer for potential fraud?
Nevermind, found an answer so here is this the info i found
.......Is Your Car the Victim of Odometer Fraud?
The Problem
The odometer indicates the number of miles a vehicle has been driven. Odometer fraud occurs when an odometer is rolled back or disconnected. Fraud also occurs when incorrect information is given about the accuracy of the odometer reading. Some late-model used cars have odometers that have been turned back. Any vehicle that has been driven a high number of miles but is only a few years old is a candidate. A federal law prohibits odometer rollbacks and requires correct reporting of mileage when selling a used car, but a cautious buyer is the best defense against this form of consumer fraud.
Odometer Fraud Is Costly
Because car value goes down as miles driven goes up, you could pay an extra $2000 over the true value for a used car with a rolled-back odometer -- and you could pay much more.
Federal Odometer Law
The federal odometer law is intended to protect you from odometer fraud. It makes odometer tampering a felony. The law requires that the seller of a vehicle record the odometer reading on the title and verify that it is the true mileage -- or certify that the reading reflects the amount of mileage in excess of 99,999 (i.e., the odometer has turned over) or is not the true mileage.
When an Odometer Breaks
When an odometer breaks and is repaired or replaced and cannot be adjusted to the true mileage,the odometer must be set at zero. A sticker indicating the true mileage before service and the date of service must be attached to the left door frame. When the vehicle is sold, the disclosure statement must indicate the odometer error.
How Can You Tell Whether an Odometer Has Been Altered?
You can check the vehicle for evidence of tampering (marks on the odometer or misaligned numbers) and check the mileage entered on oil stickers, inspection stickers and tire warranty cards. Also, the overall condition of the vehicle may provide a clue. The odometer reading must be entered on the vehicle title. Check the reading on previous titles to determine if and when any alterations occurred. Your department of motor vehicles should have previous titles on file. Try to contact former owners if you suspect tampering. To find out if the vehicle was owned by a resident of your state, your department of motor vehicles should have the name and address.
When Buying a Used Car
Be sure the seller has certified the odometer reading in writing. Be careful if the seller tells you the odometer reading is incorrect. If you have any concern, it might be wise to have the car inspected by an impartial auto mechanic. In fact, this is a good practice when buying any used car. Also, beware of buying a vehicle with low mileage that was formerly a leased vehicle. Leased vehicles are driven an average of 30,000 miles a year, and a high percentage have their odometers rolled back when they enter the used-car market.
When Selling a Car
When you sell a car, you must certify the odometer reading in writing. If you are not sure the odometer reading is accurate, indicate this on the disclosure statement.
What to Do if You Are Victimized
You can consult an attorney about the advisability of suing for civil damages. If you win, the court will award you $1500 or three times the amount of damages, whichever is greater, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees. But you must be able to prove that the odometer mileage was misrepresented, who was responsible for the misrepresentation, and that there was intent to defraud. You can also inform your state attorney general, who can bring civil actions on behalf of consumers. You can report suspected odometer tampering to the federal government by calling the Auto Safety Hotline at 800-424-9393. The federal government is prohibited from undertaking legal action for individual consumers, but may follow your lead to start a criminal investigation.
Modified by Type R 98-0352 at 12:36 AM 9/9/2003
.......Is Your Car the Victim of Odometer Fraud?
The Problem
The odometer indicates the number of miles a vehicle has been driven. Odometer fraud occurs when an odometer is rolled back or disconnected. Fraud also occurs when incorrect information is given about the accuracy of the odometer reading. Some late-model used cars have odometers that have been turned back. Any vehicle that has been driven a high number of miles but is only a few years old is a candidate. A federal law prohibits odometer rollbacks and requires correct reporting of mileage when selling a used car, but a cautious buyer is the best defense against this form of consumer fraud.
Odometer Fraud Is Costly
Because car value goes down as miles driven goes up, you could pay an extra $2000 over the true value for a used car with a rolled-back odometer -- and you could pay much more.
Federal Odometer Law
The federal odometer law is intended to protect you from odometer fraud. It makes odometer tampering a felony. The law requires that the seller of a vehicle record the odometer reading on the title and verify that it is the true mileage -- or certify that the reading reflects the amount of mileage in excess of 99,999 (i.e., the odometer has turned over) or is not the true mileage.
When an Odometer Breaks
When an odometer breaks and is repaired or replaced and cannot be adjusted to the true mileage,the odometer must be set at zero. A sticker indicating the true mileage before service and the date of service must be attached to the left door frame. When the vehicle is sold, the disclosure statement must indicate the odometer error.
How Can You Tell Whether an Odometer Has Been Altered?
You can check the vehicle for evidence of tampering (marks on the odometer or misaligned numbers) and check the mileage entered on oil stickers, inspection stickers and tire warranty cards. Also, the overall condition of the vehicle may provide a clue. The odometer reading must be entered on the vehicle title. Check the reading on previous titles to determine if and when any alterations occurred. Your department of motor vehicles should have previous titles on file. Try to contact former owners if you suspect tampering. To find out if the vehicle was owned by a resident of your state, your department of motor vehicles should have the name and address.
When Buying a Used Car
Be sure the seller has certified the odometer reading in writing. Be careful if the seller tells you the odometer reading is incorrect. If you have any concern, it might be wise to have the car inspected by an impartial auto mechanic. In fact, this is a good practice when buying any used car. Also, beware of buying a vehicle with low mileage that was formerly a leased vehicle. Leased vehicles are driven an average of 30,000 miles a year, and a high percentage have their odometers rolled back when they enter the used-car market.
When Selling a Car
When you sell a car, you must certify the odometer reading in writing. If you are not sure the odometer reading is accurate, indicate this on the disclosure statement.
What to Do if You Are Victimized
You can consult an attorney about the advisability of suing for civil damages. If you win, the court will award you $1500 or three times the amount of damages, whichever is greater, plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees. But you must be able to prove that the odometer mileage was misrepresented, who was responsible for the misrepresentation, and that there was intent to defraud. You can also inform your state attorney general, who can bring civil actions on behalf of consumers. You can report suspected odometer tampering to the federal government by calling the Auto Safety Hotline at 800-424-9393. The federal government is prohibited from undertaking legal action for individual consumers, but may follow your lead to start a criminal investigation.
Modified by Type R 98-0352 at 12:36 AM 9/9/2003
09-08-2003, 11:22 PM
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, United States of America
Posts: 574
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I remember a local Acura dealer won a NSX at auction... Tech took dash apart, found tampering with the odometer. Car fax is good too, usually when cars go in for smog inspections and stuff they're recorded. If i remember right, car fax logs that data.
09-09-2003, 07:30 AM
#5
Honda-Tech Member
Re: (RealTypeR)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RealTypeR »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">with all these stunnas swapping for JDM or spoon clusters, it's easy to be frauded.</TD></TR></TABLE>
very true
very true
09-09-2003, 08:09 AM
#6
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: (dk127)
Sorry, this is a little OT, but:
Just a note on CarFax...it is only as good as the people who record the numbers.
For example, my brother had his Dodge Dakota smogged at about 41,XXX miles and as it turned out, the the guy at the inspection station recorded the mileage as 47,000...EXACTLY. We presume he mistook the 1 for a 7 and was just too lazy to write down the rest of the numbers. When he traded the truck, not long after that, his mileage was just at 46K...when the dealership ran a carfax, this discrepancy came up.
As it turns out, the mileage recorded at the smog station cannot ruin the title. The title company was able to fix the issue with CarFax because of good record keeping at the smog station, but you still have to wonder how often things like this happen...
Just a note on CarFax...it is only as good as the people who record the numbers.
For example, my brother had his Dodge Dakota smogged at about 41,XXX miles and as it turned out, the the guy at the inspection station recorded the mileage as 47,000...EXACTLY. We presume he mistook the 1 for a 7 and was just too lazy to write down the rest of the numbers. When he traded the truck, not long after that, his mileage was just at 46K...when the dealership ran a carfax, this discrepancy came up.
As it turns out, the mileage recorded at the smog station cannot ruin the title. The title company was able to fix the issue with CarFax because of good record keeping at the smog station, but you still have to wonder how often things like this happen...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mfoehrkolb
Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000)
11
06-11-2012 08:52 AM
dleccord
Honda Accord & Crosstour (2003 - 2012)
10
12-11-2009 08:17 PM
