How to Spot Odometer Rollback Before You Buy a Used Car

Odometer rollback, winding back the displayed mileage to make a car look less used, is one of the oldest and most expensive used-car scams. The U.S. government estimates it costs buyers more than a billion dollars a year. Here's how to protect yourself.

Warning signs of a rolled-back odometer

• Wear that doesn't match the miles: worn pedals, a shiny steering wheel or sagging seats on a "low-mileage" car.
• Inconsistent service records: a 40,000-mile oil change stamp on a car now showing 35,000.
• Mismatched digits on mechanical odometers, or fonts that look off.
• A title or inspection history showing a higher reading in the past than the car shows now.

How to verify the real mileage

Cross-check the displayed mileage against every dated record you can find: prior service stamps, inspection certificates, and the mileage recorded on the title. A reading that ever goes down over time is a red flag for fraud.

Where a car report helps

A Carchieve report includes a guided odometer and mileage check and points you to the official records to confirm a vehicle's reported mileage, so a rolled-back odometer doesn't slip past you. Pair it with a pre-purchase inspection for full peace of mind. Run a VIN check.