Inaccurate Odometer Disclosures Are A Federal Crime
Filed Under: Cars
Used car buyers factor in a vehicle’s mileage when they’re deciding the condition and value of the used vehicle. Odometer readings and disclosures are therefore a very important part in determining a vehicle’s condition and value.
For these reasons, state and federal law prohibit not only odometer tampering, but also inaccurate odometer disclosures. Under federal law, a seller is required to provide an odometer disclosure statement certifying that:
(a) the odometer reflects the actual mileage,
(b) the odometer reflects the amount of miles beyond the mechanical limit of the odometer, or
(c) the odometer is not showing the correct mileage.
Besides rolling back or modifying odometer readings (e.g. using odometer “kill switches”), unscrupulous sellers of motor vehicles also ignore tell-tale signs of possible odometer discrepancies or fraud. For example, there may be inconsistent odometer readings recorded in a vehicle’s title or repair history.
For example, a titles history may show the mileage dropped one year instead of going up. Or dealer made see evidence that the odometer has physically been tampered with, around the casing and trim. Missing screws or scratches on the case are a givaway But the odometer had been tampered with.
These are signs that the seller should take seriously and check into the history of the vehicle. If he fails to do this then he’s not certifying that the odometer is showing the correct mileage.
Buyers who are worried about potential inaccurate readings should check with commercial organizations such as Carfax they can collect background information on the vehicle’s history. These types of reports are not always complete, so another option is to take your card to a grudge, which specializes in checking used cars.
If it turns out that the vehicle seller does alter the odometer. Or that they do not provide accurate disclosures, they should know that they are putting their business at risk, because federal law has severe penalties for businesses that violate the odometer laws. It’s important to note though, that the laws regarding this only cover vehicles less than 11 years old.
