Table of Contents ODOMETER TAMPERING Odometer Tampering Costs Millions Tamperers face fines and jail time Ask the seller to show you the title Make sure mileage and wear make sense Test drive the vehicle Tips to avoid odometer tampering Get a second opinion Investigate the vehicle history For more information Wisconsin DOT: Odometer Tampering Consumer Guide, Spring 2018 wisconsindot.gov 1 Wisconsin DOT Consumer Guide ODOMETER TAMPERING Odometer Tampering Tamperers face Costs Millions fines and jail time Odometer tampering Resetting, disconnecting, or altering a vehicle’s odometer to conceal the true is a consumer fraud mileage is called “odometer tampering”. % Odometer spinners will sell the vehicle that costs Wisconsin It is illegal for anyone to tamper with an without titling the vehicle in their name, or “jumping title,” to avoid providing citizens millions of odometer or to sell a vehicle knowing that the odometer has been tampered with. an odometer statement. This will also dollars each year. allow them to hide their identity. Ask for Whether tampering is done by a backyard It is particularly a bill of sale and ask for identification mechanic who resets the odometer electronically from the seller to help prevent this. offensive because it or manually, by a person who buys a device to Odometer spinners are also known to “launder” block miles from registering on the odometer, by % hits those hardest a title history by transferring vehicle ownership a dealer who contracts with a “reconditioning” who are least able to from state to state to hide a rollback. firm, or by a multi-state used car mill, odometer afford costly repairs. tampering violates state and federal laws and is % If you are buying a vehicle in Wisconsin, but It benefits nscrupulous punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both. the seller has a title from a non-neighboring state, you might think twice about it. operators who conspire Ask the seller to % Auction-bought vehicles with several to defraud you. show you the title ownership transfers may contain one or several odometer statements. Check This brochure is The title will tell a tale of the vehicle’s history and may give you clues that your odometer these statements for alterations. Common designed to alert has been spun. Titles show you when a vehicle alterations include changing a “1” to a “0” you to the problem was purchased, what previous odometer (e.g. 194593 to 094593) along with adding a decimal point (e.g. 194593 to 79459.3). and to protect you readings were, and where the vehicle was previously titled. Seeing the title may help from buying a expose a seller’s attempt to defraud you. tampered vehicle. Wisconsin DOT: Odometer Tampering Consumer Guide, Spring 2018 wisconsindot.gov 2 Wisconsin DOT Consumer Guide Tips to avoid ODOMETER TAMPERING odometer tampering > Examine the current odometer reading. % The rule of thumb is that motor vehicles are driven an average of 12,000 miles a year. % Check odometer statements on the title % Is there excessive wear in the interior, for consistency. If there are multiple especially in the driver’s seat? % A vehicle with an average far less than this mark may statements provided on a reassigned title, % Look for maintenance stickers, warranties or have had the odometer make sure one reading isn’t significantly other paperwork that may indicate a higher tampered with (i.e. 10 year old higher or lower than the next. mileage. They may be found under the vehicle with 50,000 miles). hood, on the air cleaner, on door jambs, in Make sure mileage and the glove box, under seats or in the trunk. > Examine the wear make sense instrument panel. Take a long, careful look at the vehicle. Does the Test drive the vehicle % There may be evidence that the condition match the miles on the odometer? A thorough test drive is essential. odometer was replaced recently. % Are the miles low, but the tires new or % Check the brakes, steering, suspension, % Look to see if the instrument mismatched by size, type or brand? acceleration and alignment. cluster panel is loose, does % The date the tire was manufactured % Test the vehicle when it is cold and not fit, or if there are any can be determined by coded warm, at highway and city speeds. missing screws. numbers found on the tire. % Listen for any unusual noises that might Inspect vehicle interior % Have parts been replaced that normally suggest uncharacteristic mechanical issues. > If the odometer reads low miles, would not have been replaced % % Check to see if the speedometer but the interior shows significant on a low mileage vehicle? sticks while driving, or if any other wear and tear, the odometer % Pay attention to parts such as batteries, hoses instruments perform abnormally. may have been tampered with. and clamps, and fan or air conditioning belts. > Inspect vehicle exterior. % Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle for wear and tear. % If the vehicle has low miles, but has significant wear and tear, the odometer may have been tampered with. WisconsinWisconsin Department DOT: Odometer of Transportation Tampering Consumer Guide, Spring 2018 www.wisconsindot.gov wisconsindot.gov 3 Wisconsin DOT Consumer Guide Tips to avoid odometer tampering ODOMETER TAMPERING (continued) > Ask for the vehicle title. % The seller may alter odometer Get a second opinion statements provided on Ask a qualified mechanic to test drive the title to hide the true and examine the vehicle. mileage of the vehicle. % Also, ask that the wheels be removed so the % If there are signs of alteration, mechanic can inspect the brake system for For more information the odometer may have excessive wear or replacement parts. If you believe your odometer was been tampered with. % Paying for an expert inspection before tampered with or have other questions > Check for service stickers you buy may help you avoid unexpected about odometers, please contact: or repair invoices. repair costs and a lot of grief later on. Wisconsin Department of Transportation % The previous owner may (WisDOT) Dealer and Agent Section have kept service stickers or Investigate the 4822 Madison Yards Way repair invoices that indicate vehicle history Third Floor South an odometer reading. Looking for information on the vehicle’s past Madison, WI 53705 % This may show the true will tell you about any accidents, mechanical Phone: (608) 266-1425 mileage on the vehicle. issues, or odometer discrepancies. Email: [email protected] % Consider investing in a vehicle history report. Acquire a vehicle history > There are several vendors who supply these report before purchasing. reports on the Internet. There are often associated JAN 2015 % Vehicle history reports will fees, but the information can be invaluable. It is a include odometer readings great tool to help verify your odometer reading. that would suggest a % Talk to previous owners. Wisconsin dealers are tampered odometer. required to provide prospective buyers with the % Always do this before names and address of a vehicle’s former owners. purchasing. % If the title shows that the vehicle was previously titled out of state, consider checking further before you buy. Wisconsin DOT: Odometer Tampering Consumer Guide, Spring 2018 wisconsindot.gov 4.