Rolling back odometer readings on second-hand cars is still a major problem. Fortunately, there are other things than the odometer that can help you determine whether the distance driven is realistic. We have listed some tips.
People often shy away from a car with many kilometers on the odometer. So you can ask more money for a car with fewer kilometers. That makes it tempting to tamper with the mileage, but that is a punishable offense. Although, despite possible fines, it can be very profitable for a seller to turn back the odometer.
In our country, the mileage of a used car is tracked via the Car Pass, which always shows the correct mileage of the car. The Car Pass must legally be handed over to the buyer by the seller. Without the pass, the car purchase cannot proceed.
You run a greater risk of a rolled back odometer with a car that has been imported, especially from Germany, for example. There, one in ten cars is said to have a rolled back odometer. In addition, research by the German automotive organization Adac showed that it is relatively easy to change the mileage, even in a large number of newer cars.
Brake pedal
Another way to find out if the mileage is approximately correct is to look at the wear and tear on the vehicle brake pedal to check. It wears out steadily, but in practice the rubber is rarely replaced. After 100,000 kilometers you can tell that the pedal has been used. And at 300,000 kilometers it is as good as worn out. It is therefore better to check a car with 150,000 kilometers on the odometer that has a worn brake pedal.
Other things that show you whether a car has driven a lot of kilometers are: driver’s seat and the send. If the leather or textile upholstery is heavily worn, you can be sure that the car has a lot of miles on it.
What could also indicate that the car is no longer so fresh and fruity is play in the hinge of the car door, especially on the driver’s side. A low mileage is probably not the right one. Worn upholstery and steering wheel can be replaced fairly easily. This is more difficult with a door hinge.
The odometer itself
Another option is to use the odometer yourself to study more closely. For an analog counter, the first step is to check the alignment of the numbers. If they are shifted, it means the meter has been manually disassembled.
Some ‘rewinders’ use specific equipment to disconnect the meter while driving to fool prospective buyers. The digital counters can be changed via the car’s OBD connection with a special device.
Read car keys
You can also go to a brand dealer during a test drive to have keys read. This often also stores the mileage of cars from the last ten to fifteen years. This reading is usually free, but because dealers do not always have the time, it is better to make an appointment for this.
If in doubt, you can always use one purchase inspection have it carried out. Then you have a good overview of the condition of the car you have in mind. By the way, it is not the case that a car with a high mileage is necessarily of poor quality. Most cars can handle a high odometer reading just fine.
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