So what does this mean?

[beetlefanatic]

http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/berea-m ... 0223903709

Has anyone heard of "Mileage correction"?
Does that mean when I want to sell my skedonk with 500000kms on the clock, I give this dude a call and he'll correct the mileage to a respectable number? If so, how can anyone know the reading on a secondhand car with electronic odometer is real? Suppose if it has a stamped dealer service book, you could, but otherwise?

I have been wondering about this as I am browsing Gumtree for a secondhand vehicle for the wife. What had me wondering was that there were so many nice 10 year plus vehicles with low kms, around 100000kms. When you see some of the interior pics you just get that feeling that the car has more kms than what is advertised.

[fig]

Yes, 100,000km seems to be a very fashionable cut in the haircutting industry. A classic cut, in fact, since it's been in fashion for so long.

[sean]

I never worry about the odometer. Both the analogue and digital odometers can be adjusted in minutes. Do not rely on this alone.

When I've purchased second hand cars, the odometer is the last thing i check. Condition is priority. Thorough service history with invoices to prove its legit is also a good guide. Personally I would purchase a car with 500 000km that has been looked after verses a car with 100 000km and been neglected. Condition is most important.

Common sense also helps, just work out the annual km's. In this case 10 years and older but less than 100 000km, that's less than 800km p/m. Seems a little unlikely for a car that shows wear and tear.

I don't know if there's a way to tell with odometer tampering, but a simple check for areas around or the instrument cluster itself for signs of tampering could be a guide.

[Tony Z]

I was told once that when an analog odometer has been tinkered with, the last number does not sit 100% in line with the others.

Kinda like the one below


OK, this one was ticking over, but it gives the idea

I might be wrong here....

[beetlefanatic]

The things is, it seems that with the newer cars with all the fancy electronics and electronic odo, it's even easier to do.

[Tony Z]

plenty links online....
http://www.carfax.com/car_buying/odometer.cfx
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical ... fraud.html

[flatfourfan]

Carte Blanche did something on this a while back. damn scaly if you ask me. I don't think that I'd use these guys to clock back the kms on my lambo anytime soon........

Full service history for me is a must, I don't care if the kms are high as long as it's had all its services. With my bakkie I called the shop where it was serviced and he even sent me an email of the last service that it had as well as what was done.

[Retrobug]

I remember the Carte Blanche story, very shady practice

[beetlefanatic]

Unfortunately I don't watch a lot of TV. Would have loved to see the CB program on this.

The moral of the story is. TRUST NO ONE.

Sad that society has come to this.

[calooker]

I got a 2005 Toyota Corolla 160I GLE, FSH 122000, genuine kms, metallic silver. No issues with this car, a wheel bearing was replaced under warranty when the car was 1 year old.
This car is in excellent condition, is my wife’s ride & well looked after, smash & grab tint, 17" Mag wheels, boot spoiler.
I have not advertised anywhere it yet, as its going for a valet & polish tomorrow.
Let me know if you interested, Asking R67500.
Rui 082 830 6493

[brianj]

My 2003 has 128k on it. But you can usually tell from the condition of drivers seat, steering wheel, pedals especially clutch, floormats if original. Else a service history is hard to fake and easy to verify. .

[Retrobug]

One of the guys on Carte Blanche bought a car with something like 70 or 80 thousand km's on the clock, when the dude took it to the agents for a service and they plugged the car in the computer told another story
They might be able to reset the clock but the service history told the truth!
The car had been for a 100000 and a 120000km service at the agents
And then all hell broke loose on M-Net