Ajax Car Buying Tips: How to Know if a Car Has a Tampered Odometer

The prices of used cars depend heavily on their odometer's value during the time their former owners sold them. The odometer, which indicates the total mileage travelled by the car, tells so much about its health and performance. However, there are skilled people who could easily roll back the values of odometers. To know if an odometer has been tampered, take note of the following.

Check if the numbers on the odometer are aligned correctly. If you see that the digits are crooked, has gaps or easily change values when banging on the dashboard, this is a sign that it has been tampered. In case of a digital odometer, make sure that the numbers are aligned straight and the digit indicators do not blink.

Check the tires of the vehicle. A car that has a value lower than 100,000 kilometers means that the vehicle still has its original tires. Used vehicles that could still function properly have an average of 100,000–150,000 kilometers of travel. Worn out tires under 100,000 kilometers can raise some questions - take this up with your car dealer.

Take note of the car's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN could help you trace the history of the vehicle. Looking at the vehicle's history will help you know whether the mileage value the odometer has is true or it has been rolled back. The VIN search could also indicate the vehicle's current mileage value.

Look for missing screws on the dashboard and other physical signs of tampering in the odometer area. Physical signs of forced tampering such as scratches, dents and even burns, indicate that the odometer's value might be false. Reputable dealers of used cars Whitby has would have a mechanic look for signs of tampering to guarantee you that the used cars they sell report accurate mileage measurement.

Test-drive the vehicle. Observe how the speedometer moves. If it jiggles or seems loose, it might have been rigged. Check also if the belts, seats, window wipers and windows have been replaced. Low-mileage used cars from reputable used trucks ajax dealers would ensure that the original parts of the vehicle have not been replaced for low-mileage used vehicles.

Lastly, look for oil change and maintenance stickers. Every time a vehicle goes for a servicing or repair, used trucks ajax dealerships that have car repair centers for customers place these stickers after servicing. If these are missing, the value of the odometer, and ultimately, the price of the vehicle are truly questionable.