Launchorasince 2014
← Stories

How to Know if a Used Car has Odometer Discrepancy?

Despite cars having better technology today, odometer scams are still common. If you are wondering if you can roll back a digital odometer, the answer is yes. Due to this issue, it’s always best to check before you buy any used car so that you can avoid getting scammed.

If you ask a query “Can you rollback a digital odometer”, the answer will be ‘yes’. And hence you need to be alert to such frauds and investigate if your chosen car has been subject to such a fraud.

There are many ways you can check for an odometer discrepancy before you purchase the vehicle. Some of the common methods are listed here.

1. Get a vehicle history report

Whenever a car owner takes their car for a yearly inspection, oil change or any replacement, the mechanic is required to note the odometer reading. When you get a car history report, you can see the past odometer readings and compare the current reading to see if they match.

Moreover, a car history report will also tell you if the car was ever reported missing or if someone else already reported an odometer discrepancy.

2. Ask for an odometer reading from a mechanic

Most newer models of cars have a central computer that stores all the odometer readings and other information on it. If the odometer is rolled back, the car may show an error sign to indicate a discrepancy.

If you suspect that the car’s odometer may have been rolled back, you can take it to a mechanic to get the true reading. They can connect an odometer scanner tool to the car’s OBD to access the odometer memory to find the true mileage.

3. Check the manufacturer’s website

Newer cars often upload and store the odometer readings and other information to the manufacturer’s server. You may be able to access the odometer information by uploading the car’s VIN.

Typically, you can check directly through the manufacturer’s website. If not, you may call customer service and ask for the odometer history.

4. Try to look for signs of wear and tear

One of the most common ways to check for an odometer discrepancy is to look for signs of wear and tear on the car. An average American drive around 12,000 miles each year, so the wear and tear should be consistent.

If the used car is older than five years but shows a low mileage reading, you should check the tires, pedals, driver seat and steering. If they look worn out, the odometer may have been rolled back.

In conclusion

Many people believe that it is impossible to roll back a digital odometer, but if you ask an expert, “can you rollback a digital odometer?” they will say yes. Therefore, it’s always very important to check for any odometer discrepancy before buying a used car.

Unfortunately, not everyone is well educated about odometer scams, and many people fall victim to these scams. If you have been a victim of an odometer rollback scam, you can call the attorneys at Allen Stewart today to take legal action.

Andrew Richardson is the author of this Article. To know more about Arizona consumer fraud act please visit our website: allenstewart.com