You want to buy a used car with a low amount of miles. But you need to be aware of the potential for odometer fraud, something that occurs more often with unlicensed dealers or private sellers.
“Odometer fraud is a situation in which a seller has intentionally taken miles off an odometer to increase the value of a vehicle,” said Inspector General Tom Clinkenbeard.
Clinkenbeard says buyers need to use common sense and do their research ahead of time before they ever put money down on a used vehicle. That includes researching vehicles up for sale through carfax.com or autocheck.com. These websites can tell potential buyers if a vehicle has ever been in a crash in which an insurance claim was paid out, or what a vehicle’s mileage was every time a title was issued.
Other important tips for consumers include:
- Be alert to the seller’s actions, how information is provided, and the location of the sale. If the sale appears suspicious, don’t buy the vehicle.
- Have a reputable mechanic or repair facility inspect the vehicle before making a purchase.
- Examine the title closely for altered information. The title must be in the seller’s name.
- Look for the odometer miles displayed, and then compare that number to the average number of miles driven per year. On average, a vehicle is driven 12,000 miles per year.
- Inspect the vehicle to make sure the overall condition matches the mileage. See if the vehicle has been repainted and if the tires match. Test drive the vehicle before buying.
