How to check if the car odometer was rolled back or not

Sep 26, 2018

Check the article out and make your car buying beneficial as much as possible.

In some cases, the odometer may accidentally rewind when the dashboard or clocks are repaired or replaced, causing the number of kilometers traveled to be changed. Additionally, this number can be deliberately changed to deceive the buyer and push the car’s price higher.

1. Request to check the car history

According to experienced car buying consultants, car history shows the mileage traveled and tells the buyer if the car has any problems, such as whether the vehicle has suffered any significant damage or been stolen. From the history of the car, customers also know the insurance package of the car, and if the odometer is reversed back, they can be compensated.

buying a car

Car buyers should request to check the car history

2. Check the certificates

The mileage traveled have been recorded on the car's certificates, so shoppers should take a look at them and ensure that there is no significant gap between the number of miles traveled in a year compared to the previous year. Keep an eye out for any changes such as 20,000 miles in five years but suddenly only 1,000 miles in the next year.

3. Check the car maintenance history

The miles traveled will be recorded when the vehicle receives maintenance, so buyers can check whether the number of miles traveled has increased after each time. Do not check the direct maintenance schedule, as this number can be easily faked. Call the garage and check.

A car odometer

The miles traveled will be recorded when the vehicle receives maintenance

4. Check the condition of the vehicle

These days, cars are produced with good quality, so it is quite difficult to assess the mileage based on the vehicle status, but this is still a necessary factor. Buyers should check the interior such as wear of steering wheel, seats, pedals and switches.

On the exterior, customers should check whether the vehicle has new paint to cover the scratches or not. Do not be fooled when the car is shiny. Look carefully for any scratches or discoloration.

5. Test drive

Car experts say, if possible, let's test drive many cars of the same model to get a feel of driving as well as keep your ears open for snarls and vibrations from worn parts. Do not forget that the odometer rollback may be caused by improper car maintenance, so parts, such as the drive belt, may soon be damaged, causing severe damage to the car.

Doing a car test drive

Test drive many cars of the same model to get a feel of driving a

When deciding to buy a car, do not be afraid to ask questions or leave when you are not satisfied. If you buy a car from a dealer, make sure that the relevant documents give you the exact and clear mileage. Generally, popular and quality cars which are able to withstand wear and tear, tend to be tampered with the most, such as the BMW 5-Series, Volkswagen Golf and Audi A4.

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