"Bigest Rick in used cars"

Spotting "Clocked" Vehicles

One of the biggest risks buying used is that someone has rolled back or "clocked" the odometer. Rolling back odometers is not confined to unscrupulous car dealers. Consumers are engaging in this practice as well, looking to get free warranty repairs or that little extra for their trade-in. In either case, odometer fraud is subject to prosecution under both federal and state laws.

There are some basic practices you can follow to help you spot a "clocker".

Look at the brake pedal, drivers scuff mat and the tires. Check under the hood and look at hoses, belts and wires. All should show wear commensurate with the mileage. If any of these are new and the vehicle shows low mileage, a flag should go up.

Check service records, taking note of the mileage when each service was performed. Look for service stickers or receipts on or in the car.

On vehicles with a mechanical odometer, make sure all the numbers line up. If they don't, they may have been moved. See if any surrounding trim pieces are scratched or if trim retaining screws show signs of being removed.

Many newer cars have a service odometer stored in the engine management computer memory. Although these can also be tampered with, it is less likely, especially if you are buying from a private party. A local service shop with the proper diagnostic tools can check on this for you.