Odometer rollback is a common thing in the used car market, even though it is illegal. Odometer rollback fraud is so widespread because the mileage of a used car affects its resale price, the higher the mileage the lower the price. Sometimes used cars are so worn down that odometer rollback is the only way for dealers to sell them.
Modern cars are equipped with digital odometers which were supposed to complicate odometer rollback.
In practice, it turned out quite the contrary. Digital odometers are even easier to roll
back with the help of special software. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates
that every year over 450,000 cars are sold with odometer rollback fraud.
First of all, you pay more than the car really costs and the seller gets extra money from your pocket.
On top of that, maintenance costs will be much higher that you expect because
old cars require frequent repair. So, odometer rollback fraud hits your pocket not just once,
not to mention that you have little chance to sell this car later.
Start with VIN Number check and vehicle history report, it’s is the wisest way. The vehicle history report can reveal so many hidden problems besides odometer rollback, for example, salvage title or flood damage, that further inspection of that car simply makes no sense. You can get vehicle history report by its VIN in a matter of minutes for a very modest fee which is not comparable with the cost of your time, efforts and money spent on a problem car.
The VIN Number check performs a search in the nationwide vehicle database and gets detailed vehicle history report in a matter of seconds.
You can inspect the car yourself. If you have already inspected several cars of the same model you have good chance
to recognize odometer rollback because you know what mileage this car in this particular condition should have.
Yet, odometer examination won’t protect you from other numerous hidden problems associated with used cars.
You can ask a trusted expert to inspect the car. A good expert will recognize odometer rollback if it took place. But again, this procedure will most probably require some time and money but it won’t reveal all of the possible problems.
Vehicle history report saves you not only from odometer rollback, but from many other flaws in the car history. You should seriously consider VIN Number check and vehicle history report if you a buying a used car.