Odometer fraud is illegal and difficult to detect, with traditional and digital odometers both subject to tampering. It is done to increase the value of a vehicle, and can be detected by comparing numbers on the odometer to maintenance records or inspecting for signs of wear and tear.
Odometer fraud is an illegal procedure used to simulate lower mileage on a motor vehicle. Tort is a very common component of auto crime. Odometer manipulation is often difficult to detect and is one of the most common forms of consumer fraud. Slang terms for odometer fraud include clocking, rolling, and busting miles.
An odometer is a device that records the number of miles or kilometers a vehicle has traveled during its service life. Odometer fraud is a key concern for consumers looking to purchase previously owned automobiles, because the number of miles is a determining factor in a vehicle’s value. The general condition and expected life of the vehicle both refer to mileage.
The main reason for odometer fraud is the desire to increase the value of a vehicle. A reduction in miles allows a person to resell a car or other form of motorized transportation at a higher price. Cars and trucks used for rental can be especially prone to misrepresentation on the odometer as they can rack up a large number of miles or kilometers in a short period of time.
Traditional odometers are mechanical devices with numbered wheels that spin at a certain speed while the vehicle is in motion. Odometers can be subject to various forms of tampering. The most common method involves manually rolling the odometer wheels. Another technique requires complete removal and replacement of the odometer. When traditional odometers reach their maximum number the wheels roll back to their original zero position, and some people also use this feature to commit fraud.
Digital odometers continue to increase in popularity. One reason for the introduction of the digital odometer was to combat the common problem of mechanical odometer manipulation. Unfortunately, digital odometer fraud has become commonplace because it’s easy to pull off and may be harder to catch. Changing the display of a digital odometer is similar to computer hacking, which uses a combination of hardware and software to produce an illicit result.
There are several methods used to detect odometer fraud. Examination by a professional may be wise, but there are many ways a layman can check for false odometer readings. For example, car owners can find discrepancies by comparing the numbers on the odometer to the numbers displayed on vehicle title or maintenance records. Inspecting the automobile for signs of wear and tear can be helpful because wear and tear can highlight a vehicle’s unusually low odometer reading.
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