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Learn how to identify signs of tampered mileage on used vehicles, ensuring a safe purchase and avoiding common fraud in the automotive market.
Buying a used car can be a great deal, but you need to be careful not to fall into traps. Among the various aspects to consider analyzed, such as aesthetics and origin, one of the biggest problems faced by consumers is the adulteration of odometer, which can inflate the price of the vehicle by presenting the mileage tampered with.
An old trick, but still present
A mileage adulterated It's an old scam. In vehicles with analog odometers, this practice was quite common, since manipulating the numbers was relatively easy.
With the arrival of digital odometers, integrated into electronic control units, the procedure became more complicated, but the mileage adulterated did not disappear.
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Even with technological advances, there are still ways to alter mileage, making it essential that buyers are vigilant to avoid losses.
Tampering with mileage is a crime
It is important to note that tampering with a vehicle's mileage is a crime in Brazil. The practice is classified as fraud under article 171 of the Penal Code.
Furthermore, Article 66 of the law No. 8.078 / 1990, of the Consumer Protection Code, provides for penalties for those who provide false or misleading information about products or services.
Punishments include fines and even detention, with sentences ranging from three months to one year. This means that both those who manipulate the odometer and those who sell the car without reporting the tampering can be held liable.
How to identify if the odometer has been tampered with?
There are some steps that can help you find out if your vehicle has been the target of this type of fraud. Check out the main steps:
- Check the panel for signs of tampering: Cracks, seams or marks near the speedometer may indicate tampering.
- Analyze the tires: A set of tires typically lasts about 30.000 km. If your car's mileage is very low but your tires are worn, there may be something wrong.
- Examine the interior of the vehicle: Upholstery, trim, and the steering wheel also indicate wear. Loose stitching or flattened foam suggest more use than indicated on the odometer.
- Check the vehicle's history with insurance companies: Many insurance companies keep track of mileage information collected during inspections. Investing in a survey can save you a lot of headaches.
- Check the vehicle manual: The revisions recorded in the manual indicate the actual mileage at specific times. Discrepancies are a red flag.
- Test with GPS: Turn on your phone's GPS and take your car for a spin. Compare the GPS data with the odometer. Significant differences may indicate tampering.
Clear signs of tampering
The above steps help identify inconsistencies, but it's essential to understand what these signs actually mean:
- Tamper marks on the panel: If there are cracks or seams near the speedometer, tampering may have occurred.
- Tire condition: If the tires are too worn for the mileage shown, it is an indication of tampering.
- Worn interior: Worn steering wheels, damaged upholstery and scratched dashboards are not befitting of low-mileage cars.
- Insurance history: If an insurance company's history indicates a higher mileage than the current one, the odometer may have been manipulated.
- Manual revisions: If the manual indicates higher mileage in previous revisions, there is something wrong.
- Test with GPS: Significant differences between the GPS and odometer during a test may indicate fraud.
Care to avoid scams
Even with the tips above, the best way to avoid scams is to make a conscious and well-informed purchase. Always research the seller, choose trustworthy stores and, if possible, ask a mechanic you trust to evaluate the vehicle.
Furthermore, never close a deal without checking the origin and history of the vehicle. Documents such as the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Certificate (CRLV) must be in order, as well as the manual and the revision history.
Finally, if you suspect any irregularities, seek help from experts or consumer protection agencies. Remember that by acting cautiously, you protect your investment and avoid future problems.
It is also a good idea to take the engine to a mechanic and drain the oil and replace it with oil of the correct viscosity. After that, check the oil pressure. Check the compression of the cylinders, check the flow rate of the cylinders, and check the tightness of the cooling system. Measure the height of the cylinder head and check if the head gasket is made of the same material that came from the factory. Check if the timing belt, if applicable, still has the inscriptions engraved on it, if it is the original from the factory and if it is installed in the correct position. Check if the water pump is original. Check if the shock absorbers are the original from the factory and their date of manufacture. Check the engine mounts. Worn or even replaced mounts indicate that the car has been driven a lot. If you identify that parts have been replaced in a way that is incompatible with the mileage, do not buy it. If you do not have the manual, do not buy it.
I traded my old Megane Grandtour in at a used car dealership. I bought it brand new and sold it when it had 0 km on it… most of it on the road and it was extremely well taken care of and visually perfect (in 293 years with me, the paintwork had never been touched up, and the interior was perfect, new tires, etc.)... Weeks later, I saw it being advertised at another dealership (the guy passed it on, since his dealership sold better quality cars) and it said it had 9 km… it sold in less than 79 days.