Although illegal odometer tampering—also known as "clocking" or "odometer rollback"—may be somewhat difficult to detect, understanding the warning signs is absolutely essential when purchasing a pre-owned vehicle from a private seller. Keeping these tips in mind, even a novice can identify some of the most common red flags of odometer fraud and save thousands of dollars in the process!
Inconsistent odometer readings:
Odometer mileage should be consistent with the age, condition, and history of the vehicle. Additionally, if the mileage increases very little from one year to the next (per the vehicle history report or service records), it could be a sign that the odometer has been tampered with.
For example, you should be suspicious of a 5-year-old used car that has under 30,000 miles. The average American drives between 10,000 and 15,000 miles per year; by that logic, a 5-year-old vehicle should have between 50,000 and 75,000 miles on its odometer.
Of course, there are multiple reasons why a vehicle may not have as many miles as the average, including the make and model, the area, and the situation. For instance, an owner during the pandemic may have reduced or eliminated their work commute, resulting in only 4,000 miles driven over a 2-year span. Always ask the previous owner why the mileage seems off.
Wear and tear:
The amount of wear and tear on the vehicle should also be consistent with the mileage on the odometer. If the car appears to have more normal-use damage than what the mileage would suggest, it could be a sign of odometer fraud.For example, if a car has 35,000 miles on the odometer but the seats and steering wheel are worn or the dashboard is as sun-faded and gray as a White Walker, that could be a sign that the car has more mileage than is shown.
New parts:
If the seller claims that the vehicle has low mileage but has recently replaced high-wear auto parts like the brake pads or tires, you may want to go through a mental odometer rollback check. This is because these parts typically wear out after a certain amount of mileage, so if they have been replaced but the mileage is still low, it could be an indication that the odometer has been tampered with.Frequent service:
Service records can be a good indicator of the true mileage of a vehicle. If the records show that the vehicle has been serviced more frequently than the mileage would suggest, be wary of a mileage rollback. Even something like oil changes every month could be indicative of a tampered odometer, at the very least. (Always get a pre-purchase inspection to help spot issues!)Vehicle history report:
A vehicle history or Carfax report can provide information about the vehicle's past, including the mileage. If the report shows a significant gap in mileage between different service records, you should question if you're buying a car with an odometer rollback.Additionally, if the report shows that the vehicle was used for commercial purposes, such as a taxi or rental car, it most likely will have higher mileage than the average. If the odometer doesn't fit that theory, ask questions.
Instrument cluster looks odd
The plastic covering the instrument cluster display should be pretty pristine—how often does one touch that area, anyway? The occasional scratch here or there is not a big deal, but if you notice the inside of the display has condensation or gets foggy, or if the display itself is not fastened in well (or a screw is missing), you'll need to be careful about mileage fraud. Fingerprints inside the display are also a warning sign of odometer rollbacks.(Although more difficult, digital odometer rollback is certainly doable with the right tools and know-how. Visually inspecting the instrument cluster is one of the few ways to check for this.)
Strange smells:
If the interior of the vehicle has a musty or stale smell, it could be a sign that the vehicle has been sitting for a long time or suffered from water damage. Some sellers will attempt to pawn these vehicles off on soon-to-be odometer rollback victims by popping those miles back. Always look for signs of flood damage when checking out a pre-owned vehicle for sale.Brand new appearance:
A low-priced vehicle that appears to be in brand new condition, despite being several years old, may be too good to be true. Does the odometer show mileage that fits with that model and year? Has it been repainted or had bodywork done recently?Title issues:
If the title has been tampered with or if there are inconsistencies in the title history, be on the lookout for other telltale signs of clocking. The title may show a different mileage than what is shown on the odometer, and that's either an error (unlikely) or someone tried turning back the odometer. It is important to carefully review the title history and ensure that there are no discrepancies or red flags.Unreliable seller:
Does the seller have a history of selling vehicles with odometer discrepancies? Are they hesitant to provide a vehicle history report? Unfortunately, private sellers aren't all trustworthy; in fact, reports suggest that nearly 500,000 people bought cars with rolled back odometer readings last year. That amounts to nearly $1 billion in consumer costs!The best way to reduce or even eliminate the odds of becoming an odometer fraud victim is to quit buying from private sellers and choose to shop at a reputable used car lot near you. (Dealerships do not roll back odometers!)
Visit our Miami used car dealership at 2001 NE 2nd Ave to get a reliable vehicle at an exceptional price—and with an accurate odometer reading. Contact Braman Hyundai at (786) 623-4261 to get a quote, learn more about our used car specials in Miami, and schedule a test drive. We serve the entire South Florida region, including South Beach, Hialeah, Coral Gables, Kendall and Fort Lauderdale.
