how to know if the odometer isnt tampered?

[newbee]

guys, how will u know if the odometer (mechanical) isnt tampered?

[Ungas]

Visual checking on steering wheel and shift knob could give you an idea how long the vehicle have been abused. Doors could also give clues if they are misaligned, same goes for the hood.

Vehicle window shopping could give you an idea how to differ the aging of vehicles.

[1D4LV]

as what bos ungas said. pwede mong irelate yung condition ng vehicle sa odo reading. you can also do visuals halimbawa sa condition ng driver's seat, sa conditions ng underside ng vehicle, tire conditions, etc.

halimbawa: medyo lubog na steering wheel, may mga misalignment sa doors, tapos ang odo reading is only 30th kms?

kung sa actual odo condition, mukhang mahirap lalo na kung maganda pagkakagawa.

[vinj]

Aside from what the other mentioned,

Check:
- if the records are missing...
- brake rotor wear (if the car has a relatively low mileage)
- calculate the average yearly useage
- spare tire condition and its the same as the stock tires (if the car has low mileage)
- speedometer seems to be running faster/not calibrated well
- badly misalaligned mileage counter numbers (this is not always a sure teller though)

COMPARe with other cars, just dont look at one or a few.

When a car has a really low mileage and its just being sold at a good price by a "buy and sell", medyo mag-iisiip na ako actually. All the buy and sell guys i've checked out seems to have rolled back the mileage (no-offense, this is an observation of mine). I once looked at a '99 model sedan with 23K on the odo... it looked very fresh inside out (no wear whatsoever). We almost bought it, but when we looked up the original owner and we found out it had already ran 56K when she sold it.

[pajerokid]

look at the instrument cluster screws. if they show signs of disassemly, then it is suspect.

[TJMaxx]

I own a low mileage car, 7 years old but with
40K odo reading. May be suspected of having
a tampered odo when I sell it? That's why I make
it a point to file all service records in a folder. Sa
Casa ko lang naman pinapasok yan and records
would show the progression of the odo reading.

[Karding]

paano kung dalawa ang odometer? Isang spare, gagamitin sa long drive, or gamitin masyado at mag accumulate ang mileage. then yung original, paminsan minsan ilalagay para mababa pa din ang mileage...

yung sa screws naman, I/they can always be careful when taking the odometer out. And they can always buy a brand new set of screws di ba? Or...Baka sabihin lang sayo, "nilagyan ko lang ng indiglo gauge" or "nilinis ko lang yung loob kse may nakapasok na dumi"

A friend of mine has a 1990 Toyota Tercel, 1999 na major no dents nor scratches. Then ang mileage lang was 40K miles. (average mileage ng car sa US 15K/year). Kahina-hinala ba?!

bottom line, trust the seller. Pwede din namang mataas ang mileage pero kung alaga ang car, hindi evident ang age nya di ba?

FYI, pati digital pwede na ding tamper by using a spare gauge cluster.

[vinj]

Originally posted by TJMaxx
I own a low mileage car, 7 years old but with
40K odo reading. May be suspected of having
a tampered odo when I sell it? That's why I make
it a point to file all service records in a folder. Sa
Casa ko lang naman pinapasok yan and records
would show the progression of the odo reading.

That's the same thing we do with our rides... each has a folder where we put all related documents and receipts together (repairs, accessories, etc). It really helps in getting a better price when you sell the car.

[mc_robie]

Originally posted by Ungas
Visual checking on steering wheel and shift knob could give you an idea how long the vehicle have been abused. Doors could also give clues if they are misaligned, same goes for the hood.

Vehicle window shopping could give you an idea how to differ the aging of vehicles.

one sure thing to check of the cars usage would be to check the steering wheel and shift knob. if those two are shiny and smooth, wala na ding mga grooves(?! ) mahaba na ang natakbo nun. pwede dba? :nerd:

[buknoy2002]

Originally posted by TJMaxx
I own a low mileage car, 7 years old but with
40K odo reading. May be suspected of having
a tampered odo when I sell it? That's why I make
it a point to file all service records in a folder. Sa
Casa ko lang naman pinapasok yan and records
would show the progression of the odo reading.

gud idea will apply that to our cars

[BlackMagic]

Check the service records. My cousin purchased a 97 RAV before with 30K on the odo. A check with Toyota Quezon Ave revealed it logged 100+K already a year before. To think the odo was digital!!!

[empy]

Originally posted by mc_robie
one sure thing to check of the cars usage would be to check the steering wheel and shift knob. if those two are shiny and smooth, wala na ding mga grooves(?! ) mahaba na ang natakbo nun. pwede dba? :nerd:

This is good advice. I also suggest checking the gas/brake/clutch pedals. If the rubber seems worn down on a 'low mileage' car, then be suspicious.

[Karding]

kahit anong check nyo at kung magaling mangloko yung seller, there will always be a will to tamper anything and everything...hehe.

I/they can always change those items you mentioned to look for wear and tear. I bet you, alam ng manlolokong seller kung saan at alin ang titignan natin/nyo.. haha. Specialy sa pinas, magaling magpasikot sikot yan...hehe.

Kaya ba nung napunta ako sa US, I always make sure not to deal with Pinoy (specially buying houses and cars). No offense to my fella pinoys.

blackmagic, buti nag check ng service records yung cousin mo

pero may way pa din to keep the mileage down. Before going to the service shop, change the odo to a lower one. Pag alis mo dun, gamitin mo yung car for so many kilometers then change back to your spare odo (gauge cluster). This will keep (freeze) your original gauge cluster age down.

Magaganda yung mga advice, I'm just giving another possible way para aware kayo na may way to alter an odo.

[Sheep]

sir i think the rubber pedals may not be that accurate. meron kasi ibang people na naglalagay nun mga kinakabit sa pedal yung niken ata yun i dunno but i think you guys get it (this may prevent deterioration of the rubber)
tapos napansin ko lang sa corolla ko before about 4 yrs ko na sya gamit like new pa rin ang pedal d nauupod. sa mitsu naman namin na sasakyan less than a yr parang pudpod na ang gas and clutch pedal
obeservation ko lang, peace po tayo :P

[Karding]

yup, tama ka sheep. Not all of the recommendation here is not or cannot be taken as a consideration when looking for an odometer fraud. Sa panahon ngayon, brand new car na lang ang totally na walang odo fraud. buying a USED car and having an odo fraud is the risk you are taking.