How to Check the Actual Mileage of a Car with Tampered Odometer?
2 Answers
If the vehicle is equipped with a dual-clutch transmission, you can try using a computer to check the "Transmission Mileage" in the ECU. Generally, dual-clutch transmissions record the vehicle's mileage. If the used car dealer forgot to erase the transmission mileage data.
I've worked on quite a few used cars and seen many that have been tampered with. For vehicles with rolled-back odometers, checking the actual mileage requires careful attention to certain details. For instance, the wear on the steering wheel, the thickness of the pedal rubber, or the sagging of the seats—these can't be faked. High-mileage cars show obvious wear in these areas. Also, check how many sets of tires have been replaced, the remaining life of the brake pads, and the amount of sludge buildup in the engine. Odometer-tampered cars often look good on the outside but are a mess inside. It's best to bring an OBD tool to read the vehicle's computer data—that's the real record. The used car market is full of pitfalls. I recommend getting a comprehensive inspection from a repair shop before buying, not just relying on the odometer reading. Otherwise, you might end up with a tampered car that starts showing major issues soon after purchase, and the repair costs could exceed the car's value. Checking maintenance records can also help; look at the frequency of part replacements. Cars with consistent maintenance records are more reliable.
