A person with a drill and some time in a garage, using a mechanical dial to turn back the numbers. All of that was going to go away once digital dashes came along. No gears, no dials, no manipulation.All of that did not work out as planned. Any piece of data stored in memory can be altered. Modern-day rollbacks are quieter, less noticeable with the eye, but still leave a paper trail. And you can learn how to track it down.
Why do digital rollbacks continue?
The difference in price due to mileage is what motivates most people to commit mileage fraud. In terms of dollars and cents, the difference is significant. For example, a car showing 45,000 miles will typically cost $5,000 to $8,000 more than the same car showing 115,000 miles. This price differential is the reason for the fraudulent act.In addition to storing mileage digitally within the instrument cluster, modern vehicles also store mileage digitally in several other areas such as the engine controller, transmission module, and possibly the infotainment or body control unit. While a simple rollback may only alter the mileage shown on the dashboard, an advanced rollback attempts to modify all of them. The issue is that a rollback cannot easily modify all of these modules equally. Therefore, any inconsistencies discovered become evidence of wrongdoing.The first step is to research history documented through the paper trailPrior to viewing the vehicle, research the vehicle's documented history.
Research mileage recordings over time
When researching history documents, you're looking for a steady increase in recorded mileage. If there are discrepancies or a drop-off in mileage recordings over a period of time, that indicates possible dishonesty regarding mileage. Use multiple sources to confirm readings. NMVTIS-supported reports obtained from vehiclehistory.gov document mileage readings from title transfers, inspection records, and Service history. Commercial reports provide additional Service history information which may be missing from
NMVTIS-supported reports.
Calculate Annual mileage usage
Typical Annual mileage usage varies depending upon individual driving habits. Most individuals drive approximately 10,000-15,000 miles per year. If a seven-year-old vehicle shows 25,000 miles, then you need to ask for explanations regarding why the mileage does not reflect typical usage. Second-family cars, extended periods of inactivity (i.e., being parked), or remote employment situations may be valid reasons for lower-than-expected mileage readings.Investigate digital evidenceWhile the digital age provides advantages for identifying potential odometer fraud, it also provides evidence.
Scan additional vehicle modules
Using an inexpensive OBD-II reader or having access to more comprehensive tools used by mechanics may allow investigators to read mileage data from modules outside of the instrument cluster. If the mileage displayed on the cluster is significantly higher/lower than mileage reported on engine or transmission modules; this would indicate a high probability of odometer fraud. However, not all vehicles have modules with mileage data accessible via OBD-II connections. Therefore, verification of consistent data across modules is essential, but even if data exists, lack of consistency between clusters/miles provides reasonable cause for investigation.
Verify a new/replaced instrument cluster was installed properly
Instrument clusters do break and require repair/replacement. When clusters are replaced, a new cluster should be properly documented with supporting records indicating transfer/documentation of the original mileage. If there is no documentation and/or no indication that prior mileage was retained during installation, question whether the cluster was installed correctly.
Verify maintenance reminders are accurate & complete
As previously mentioned, some modern instrument panels/dashboards maintain logs and/or reminders based on vehicle maintenance schedules/Service appointments. If reminders show a recent Service at 80,000 miles, yet the current odometer reading is 50,000 miles, clearly something has gone amiss. Additionally, dealership Service records often contain mileage at completion of previous maintenance appointments. Request Service history records for your specific VIN.
Access Manufacturer & telematics service history
Many newer vehicles use telemetric technology to report vehicle mileage to Manufacturer databases. Dealerships maintain histories of mileage at each Service appointment for vehicles in their inventory. Request Service history records for your specific VIN.
Examine physical condition
Numbers on screens can be manipulated. Items made of rubber/fabric/metals are much harder to manipulate.Pedals: pedal tops should appear smooth and shiny (new), rather than worn/abraded.Driver seat bolsters: bolster sagging and shiny/worn fabric on Driver-side bolsters indicate low-maintenance vehicle.Steering wheel: polished surface with fading button surfaces indicate aging vehicle.Tires: tire sidewalls have "date code" printed into the sidewall rubber. Tires that show significant Wear indicate prolonged usage regardless of low mileage claims.Brake rotors/wheel faces: lip depth on brake rotor edges indicate years of braking activity.Vehicle hood: patterns of dirt accumulation around belts/hoses add context to claims of minimal usage.There are no definitive indicators of odometer fraud by themselves. Several clues pointing in the same direction make it more difficult for fraud perpetrators to deny wrongdoing.
Recognize fraudulent behavior by sellersFraudulent behavior rarely occurs alone. Be aware of common behaviors exhibited by dishonest sellers:Unwillingness to provide
VIN number prior to viewing the vehicle
Pressuring buyers to complete purchase quickly ("other interested parties")Lack of Service records/history for vehicles with low mileage claimsPrice significantly lower than similar vehicles with similar mileage
Evasive responses regarding where the vehicle was kept/droveHonest sellers generally can describe their vehicle's history and are willing to permit an inspector/mechanic to evaluate their vehicle. Dishonest sellers generally exhibit evasive behavior when questioned about their vehicle's history.U.S.
Federal law regarding disclosure of odometer reading
Federal law mandates that owners/sellers disclose the current odometer reading whenever
ownership rights are transferred, and knowingly changing the odometer reading is illegal. As such, intentionally modifying an odometer reading (and thereby falsifying it) results in severe penalties against those involved in making false statements regarding odometer readings. Furthermore, as consumers buying vehicles under suspicious conditions have legal recourse if misled by odometer fraud; however, recovering money damages after-the-fact is a lengthy and potentially stressful process compared to catching issues before purchasing a vehicle.
Steps to take after suspecting a rolled-back odometer
Follow this logical sequence:Delay purchase: do not submit payment until questions surrounding the vehicle have been resolved.Acquire an alternate history report from another company for comparison purposes.Request VIN-based Service records from local dealerships.Engage an independent mechanic to evaluate physical condition and scan additional modules.Capture photographic evidence documenting odometer readings,
VIN tags/tabs, tire tread depths and pedal conditions.Report suspicions of odometer fraud to state attorney general offices and consumer protection agencies responsible for processing complaints related to odometer fraud.If seller(s) are unable to support conflicting readings with documentation, discontinue negotiations.