A car purchase is a significant investment. When shopping for a used vehicle, one of the most important things you want to consider is the car’s mileage. For this, you need to check the car’s odometer reading.
A vehicle’s odometer reading is a crucial factor in determining its value. Unfortunately, most buyers think a simple look at this dashboard tool can help them understand the number of kilometers the car has traveled. Not many are aware of odometer fraud. The sad truth, however, is that it is possible to manipulate the vehicle’s odometer.
So how can you protect yourself from odometer fraud?
Here are a few questions that can help you avoid purchasing a car with a tampered odometer:
Is the odometer reading suspiciously low?
If you are purchasing a car from an average driver, then there is a pretty good chance they usually cover approximately 13,500 miles per year. If the vehicle in question is several years old yet its odometer is indicating low mileage, then you need to find out why this is so. For instance, if you are interested in purchasing a 7-year-old car but the odometer reading is a paltry 20,000 miles against the expected average of 94,500, then this should be a warning sign. Be sure to obtain a satisfactory explanation for this.
What does the vehicle history check report reveal?
A vehicle’s history report contains vital information regarding the car’s past. Each time the vehicle undergoes repair or maintenance by a certified mechanic, that information (as well as the car’s odometer reading at the time of the repair) must be included in this report. If the odometer reading that was captured in the vehicle’s history report is not consistent with what you are presented with, then you need to ask questions.
Buying a used car can be a painstaking undertaking, especially if you do not know what to look for. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and interests while purchasing a second-hand car.