Can the mileage tampering on a used car be detected?
2 Answers
The odometer tampering on a used car cannot be detected, but it can be judged by the wear and tear of the vehicle itself. Methods to determine mileage based on brake condition: The lifespan of brake discs is over 100,000 kilometers. If a vehicle used for more than 5 years has very new brake discs, it indicates that the brake discs have been replaced, and the mileage must have exceeded 100,000 kilometers or more. Additionally, the higher the mileage, the greater the engine wear, which inevitably leads to poorer engine sealing. Symptoms include oil leaks, fluid leaks, reduced power, sluggish acceleration, poor performance, burning oil, and blue smoke. Methods to determine mileage based on tire wear: Tire wear is the most intuitive indicator of a car's travel distance besides the odometer. Experienced buyers often check the tires first when purchasing a used car, and they don’t just look at one. If the tire treads are flat and the edges have lost their sharpness, it means the car has traveled a considerable distance.
As a car enthusiast, I often hear about odometer tampering in used cars, but this can actually be detected through multiple methods. First, maintenance records are crucial. Every car has its actual mileage recorded in the workshop's computer during regular servicing—if the seller's records don't match, it's an instant red flag. Second, using an OBD diagnostic tool to connect to the car's port directly reads data stored in the internal computer, which can't be fooled by manual adjustments. Physical wear is another telltale sign: check tire tread depth, brake pad wear, and interior seat condition—if they don't align with the claimed mileage, something's fishy. Nowadays, mobile apps like Carfax can pull up vehicle history reports, showing mileage changes across registrations and inspections. Once, while helping a friend buy a car, the odometer showed 30,000 km, but the tires were nearly bald. The report revealed the previous owner had logged 80,000 km a year earlier—a close call. Odometer fraud isn't just illegal; it hides safety risks. Always conduct a thorough pre-purchase inspection. I recommend hiring professionals for a detailed report—don’t cut corners to avoid regret. In short, cross-verifying through multiple channels leaves scammers no escape.
