Don’t Fall Victim to the Odometer Fraud – Here Are the Ways to Spot It

Odometer fraud continues to plague the used cars market and it is estimated that approximately half a million of used cars whose odometer readings have been tampered with are sold to buyers every year. It is a Federal crime to “turn back” the mileage on the car’s odometer but people still do it to earn more profits.

Prior to 1990s, tampering with the odometer was difficult it was required to open the dashboard and move the mechanical odometer manually either by rotating the disc or connecting power drill to spin the odometer in opposite direction. The introduction of digital odometers have made it easier to hack the computer software. The inability to detect the digital alterations has made the whole situation worse. When you are looking at salvage cars for auction, how will you ensure not to become a victim of odometer fraud? Read on to get the answer.

How to Spot an Odometer Fraud?

The first step is to check the dashboard and the instrument cluster area for signs of damage which may be the result of a manual odometer tampering if you are buying a car that was made before 1990s. If you notice that the car has a low mileage, check its pedals, shifter and steering wheel, as signs of heavy wear might say the opposite story. You also need to check the odometer gauge for gaps between the dials.

New cars have digital odometer, which makes it difficult for an individual to identify if the mileage of the car was tampered. Individuals may see the signs of wear on the steering, pedals and shifter to determine if the car has a low or high mileage. If the car, for examxple, has a mileage of 15,000 but all these parts are heavily worn out, it is a red flag.

Ask the seller for the CARFAX Vehicle History Report or verify the odometer reading yourself with the free CARFAX odometer check. You need to enter the alphanumeric vehicle identification number and the zip code of the area the car is being sold and to get odometer reading.

Finding your Dream Classic at a Damaged Vehicles Auction

Classic cars have their own charm that never fades out. People are passionate about classic cars and these cars have a lot of demand even at the damaged vehicles auctions. Online damaged vehicles auctions are a great place to buy classic cars at affordable prices. It is, however, essential for buyers to be sure of what they actually want, in order to make the right choice. If you have an idea about the type of vehicle you are interested in, you may definitely find the right machine.

When you plan to bid on a car at an online auction, you need to fix a budget, shortlist a few cars and arrange for an experienced mechanic to repair the purchased car if you turn out to be the highest bidder. Many people abandon the project in the middle because of the money pit issue, which is easy to avoid with proper planning at the start and sticking to the budget.

Warning Signs

When you purchase a used car, it is essential to inspect the car and get details about at its history before you make the final decision. If we talk about buying a classic car from damaged vehicles auction, there’s a need to be extra careful. You need to understand that a vehicle has been deemed total loss for some reason and demands an intensive inspection. Here are a few things that you need to primarily be concerned about:

• If the frame or undercarriage is bent beyond recognition, it might be beyond repair.
• When the panels on the outer frame of the classic car are rusted to near-recognizable state, the vehicle might not be a good investment.
• Inspect the windshield, side and rear windows, mirror conditions and body panels for signs of repair or damage. If a lot of parts need replacement, it might be difficult for you to bring the parts of the same car model.
• The engine needs to be checked for smoke coming from the exhaust, idle quality and reverse gear. If the engine is makes too much of noise, something might be wrong with it.

If you planning to buy a classic car through an online auction, you need to get inside the machine and inspect it thoroughly to be sure that you are investing your money in the right car. When looking for a classic salvaged car, it is recommended to visit a lot of junkyards, used cars dealers and salvage vehicles websites to get an idea of the price of the particular model you wish to buy. Online auction sites are mostly approached by buyers because they offer a comparatively affordable deal than the local dealerships. You need to however do your research and comparison to make a purchase that doesn’t disappoint you in the long run.