Buying a used car can be a tricky process. It’s important to find the right one, for a reasonable price, and with a low number of miles.
As buyers search for a vehicle with a low number on the odometer, they need to be aware of the potential for odometer fraud, something that occurs more often with unlicensed dealers or private sellers.
The Arizona Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General investigates about a dozen cases of odometer fraud each year. The investigative unit falls under ADOT’s Enforcement and Compliance Division, which has a staff of detectives dedicated to law enforcement investigations.
“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. “In some instances they call it a rollback; in others they call it clocking. It doesn’t make any difference. The end result is that there are fewer miles shown on the odometer as a way to scam potential buyers.”
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.
To report odometer fraud, call ADOT’s Office of the Inspector General at 602-712-6270.
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