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Has the odometer been changed

  • By Carsguide team
  • Carsguide
  • 24 March 2009
image A few tips to consider before purchasing a used car.

A low-kilometre car is a good find, but how can you tell if the odometer has been tampered with?

  • Look closely to make sure the numbers line up.
  • Check the service history thoroughly for previous kilometre recordings, and make sure they match the history of the car?
  • Look for wear and tear or suspiciously new parts. For instance, worn rubber pedals are easily replaced so it’s worth questioning why such items have been replaced.
  • A worn driver’s seat is more expensive to replace and may be a warning sign of more use than the odometer suggests.
  • Excessive stone chips on the bonnet could also indicate a car has done more distance than advertised.

 

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 6 comments

  • Is there any Motoring body that you can check if the ODO is genuine??  How about checking with RTA ???(Like checking REVS),
    I know in New Zealand you can check with AA club to verify if the ODO is not being wind back.

    John Lim of Sydney Posted on 10 October 2011 9:48am

  • As an employee of a company that regularly has to repair and change odometer readings, i can assure you just about every odometer on the market can be changed, (digital generally require finding the software or lying to someone who does and reprogramming it) other key signs of it being changed are the screws on the speedo face plate being damaged (bits of paint missing/ purple from texta), and also another key sign for a car under 50,000K, if it has any significant buildup of dust where the trip meter reset button passes through the dash’s front, be suspect, as it usually takes over 55,000K for enough dust to get through to be noticeable

    Ryan of Sydney Posted on 19 August 2011 7:07pm

  • I always check out the buttons and switches that get used a lot (like the A/C and cruise controls) too. If they look more worn than the mileage suggests, I wouldn’t go near it.

    Tom of Melbourne Posted on 16 July 2011 11:28am

  • ALL odometers can be changed. Analog or electronic, on ANY car. And just cause the numbers line up perfectly does not mean it hasn’t been wound back.

    Sam of melbourne Posted on 12 December 2010 5:08pm

  • What about electronic odometer? can this be changed?

    Jo of footscray Posted on 31 October 2010 9:48pm

  • I never would have thought to look at the seat for mileage.

    Deborah Gilchrist of Melbourne Posted on 06 September 2010 11:33am
Read all 6 comments

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