Making sure the odometer is correct is an important part of getting the facts about a car before you buy it. Odometer fraud, which may involve rolling back or disconnecting the odometer, is widespread in the sale of used cars. One study says there are more than 2.1 million cars on the road with rolled-back odometers.
Odometer fraud is both common and easy. To protect yourself against odometer fraud, have the car checked by a trained mechanic that you trust. You can check sources like carfax.com or autocheck.com that will search a car’s history for a fee. Ask for a title history from the Iowa Department of Transportation and check whether mileage records are consistent.
You can also check for odometer fraud by looking at the car itself. For example, if the spark plugs and wires are supposed to last 100,000 miles but need replacing at 40,000, that may mean the odometer has been changed. Look for other wear and tear inconsistent with the mileage.
Odometer fraud violates both federal and state law. If you believe the vehicle’s odometer has been tampered with you should file a complaint with the Iowa Attorney General or contact a private attorney.