Odometer fraud is becoming more common than ever. So you need certain knowledge in order not to become a dealer fraud victim. In this blog we will continue discussing the steps that may help you discover odometer fraud.
Check interior condition
Check the driver’s seat, driver’s door inner handle, steering wheel, power window control buttons and the pedals for excessive wear. It’s especially easy to catch if you have already inspected few cars of the same model – if the previous vehicle you looked at had less wear inside but the mileage was higher then it’s very possible that the one you’re looking at has the odometer rolled back. So you should first of all
• check the glowbox for any service receipts
• check the maintenance book for service records
• examine the driver’s door or the windshield for any oil change stickers.
Check the tires
On an average passenger car, tires usually endure from 35,000 to 50,000 miles. For example, if you’re checking a car with 25,000 miles on the odometer, it’s most likely supposed to have original tires with about 30-40% of tread material remaining. If you notice that new tires are installed, be suspicious. Try to find the production date that is stamped on the tires: each tire has a DOT mark, which confirms that the tire meets the US Department of Transportation tire safety standards. The last digits of the DOT number show the week and the year of production.
Don’t forget about mechanical inspection
Have a vehicle inspected by an experienced mechanic of your choice whom you will totally trust as a last step prior buying a used car.
However, if you have failed to discover odometer fraud for some reason, your only option is finding a qualified dealer fraud attorney.
