The last thing you want when buying a used vehicle is to think you got a good deal only to find out that your car has travelled 100,000km more than you thought! Odometer tampering can reduce the value of a vehicle, mask potential mechanical issues and cause breakdowns due to missed services. So, has the speedo been wound back?
What is an odometer rollback?
Odometer rollback is when a person illegally rewinds or tampers with a vehicle’s odometer to deceive potential buyers, making it look like the car has travelled fewer kilometres. Tampering with odometers to make them show a false reading is illegal and criminal charges can apply.
What happens if I buy a vehicle that has had its odometer wound back?
Because you don’t know how many kilometres the vehicle has actually travelled, the transmission and engine could be much older than you thought, leading you to replace big-ticket parts sooner than expected. It also reduces the value of the vehicle and can make it difficult to sell.
How can I tell if a vehicle’s odometer has been wound back?
It can be difficult to determine whether a vehicle has had its odometer tampered with by physical inspection alone. However, you can get an idea by conducting a few simple checks.
First of all, you can take a look at the vehicle’s service book and manual. These books should contain the service history and the odometer readings at each service. Pay attention to the workshop stamps and signatures as well as the type of ink and handwriting.
But what happens if there aren’t any service books? Someone who has tampered with the odometer is unlikely to leave records in the vehicle that would contradict the odometer reading. However, used vehicles can also legitimately come without a service history or original manuals simply due to being lost over time.
In this situation, you can also compare the general condition of the vehicle to the odometer reading and look for specific wear or tear that is inconsistent with the reading. For example, a car that has travelled 60,000km is unlikely to have cracked leather seats or major wear on the pedals and seat belts.
Sometimes odometer tampering can mean replacing the entire cluster rather than altering the reading. It can also be worth checking for scratch marks around the cluster and screws that hold the cluster in place.
Obtain a car history check
The best way to investigate the possibility of odometer rollback is to get a car history check. A full car history check identifies information on a used car including if another party holds a financial interest, if the vehicle has been listed as stolen or written-off, and if there is a discrepancy in the odometer reading.
Deal with someone you can trust
The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) is the peak body representing the interests of employers in the retail, service, and repair sectors of Queensland’s automotive industry. Look for members displaying the MTA Queensland logo to provide reassurance that you are dealing with someone you can trust.
Find an MTA Queensland member HERE.
3 February 2022
Please note the information contained on this page is general in nature and does not take into account your specific needs or circumstances. You should consider whether the information is appropriate to your needs, and where appropriate, seek professional advice.