Doing VIN Lookup to Know the Real Mileage

Nick Roshon

Mar 25, 2016

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Run an instant VIN check to uncover vehicle's true Mileage

The mileage of a used car always affects the price in which it is valued, some sellers and car dealers do alter the mileage of the car so as to sell at a price above the normal value. A higher mileage connotes that the vehicle has been used for an extensive number of years/miles while a lesser mileage shows that the car is less used. But it is essential to do a VIN lookup to know the actual mileage of a car you are considering buying due to odometer fraud. Odometer fraud takes place when a seller alters a vehicle's odometer and/or papers in one way or the other with the intent to show a reduced mileage and sell at higher price.

According to the Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation at the US Department of Transportation, odometer fraud is a serious crime and important consumer fraud issue. In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) 2002 odometer fraud study, the NHTSA determined that 450,000 vehicles were sold each year with false odometer readings, resulting in a cost of over $1 billion annually to car buyers in the US"

How to find out if the vehicle you intend on buying had its millage rolled back?

How to find out if the vehicle you intend on buying had its millage rolled back?

How to Detect the Real Mileage

• Confirm if the seller/car dealer has a Vehicle History Report , if not, get a VIN look up from a reputable provider and use the report to confirm if there is an odometer discrepancy in the vehicle's history.
• Make sure that the digits on the odometer gauge are correctly placed. If they're altered, contain gaps or wobble when you try hitting the dashboard with your hand, then you should know that the seller as altered the numbers.
• Ask for the title and compare the odometer with the mileage.
• Watch out for old vehicles that has extremely low mileage, it is possible the seller reduced the mileage
• Cross check to confirm that mileage on the vehicle's inspection records or maintenance correspond with the mileage on the odometer. Also, check for maintenance stickers, it's usually on the door frames, windows, glove box or under the hood, these always shows the mileage
• Inspect the car tires. Tires last for about 15,000 - 20,000 miles, so if the odometer shows between 15,000-20,000 miles or less, it should still have the tires from the manufacturer. If not, ask questions from the seller.
• Check out how much the vehicle has depreciated. Check the brake, clutch, gas, pedals and rug; the rate of wear should reflect on the mileage.
• Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted private mechanic. He will be able to confirm if the rate at which the car depreciated correspond with the mileage.

To know if the real mileage of a used vehicle has been altered, it is very important to do a VIN lookup from a reputable organization who will give the actual history of the vehicle, and all other things need to be checked so as not to fall victim of odometer fraud.