Inaccurate Odometer Disclosures Are Against The Law

By Karl O. Heil

Used car buyers factor in a vehicle's mileage when they're deciding the condition and value of the used vehicle. Odometer readings and disclosures are therefore a very important part in determining a vehicle's condition and value.

For these two reasons, both federal and state law prohibits both odometer tampering, and also false mileage disclosures. Federal law stipulates that all vehicle sellers will include and certify an odometer disclosure statement that clearly states the following:

(a) the odometers mileage reading is accurate for that car,

(b) the odometer shows the actual number of miles the vehicle has traveled even if it is beyond mechanical limits of the odometer, or

(c) the number on the odometer is incorrect.

Besides rolling back or modifying odometer readings (e.g. using odometer "kill switches"), unscrupulous sellers of motor vehicles also ignore tell-tale signs of possible odometer discrepancies or fraud. For example, there may be inconsistent odometer readings recorded in a vehicle's title or repair history.

For example, a titles history may show the mileage dropped one year instead of going up. Or dealer made see evidence that the odometer has physically been tampered with, around the casing and trim. Missing screws or scratches on the case are a givaway But the odometer had been tampered with.

Such signs would put the seller on notice that the odometer may have been tampered with and would require the seller to investigate the odometer's accuracy further. If the seller ignored these signs, it would not have a solid basis for certifying that "the odometer reflects the actual mileage."

Car buyers who are concerned about the accuracy of odometer readings on a used vehicle can check the services such as Autocheck that gather background information on used vehicles. sometimes even these background reports are not accurate so. Another option is to take your car to a specialty garage where they can check for signs of tampering.

If a seller does tamper with the odometer or fails to provide accurate odometer disclosures, it does so at its own peril, because the federal law imposes severe penalties on violators. Buyers should be aware, however, that the federal law does not require odometer disclosures for vehicles over ten years old.

About the Author:

Karl O. Heil is a leading professional in Lemon Law practices At Romano, Stancroff & Mikhov PC. For best results get real lemon law attorneys. southern California has unique laws. Getting lemon law lawyers in southern California is like cash in the bank