Rolled-back mileage means a more expensive car and repairs you do not expect
The mileage tells you how worn the engine, gearbox and clutch are and which service the car will soon need. When the odometer has been rolled back, you pay for the car as if it had been driven less. Then you have not counted on the repairs that come with higher mileage.
The European Parliament cites estimates that 5 to 12% of used cars sold within a country have rolled-back mileage, and 30 to 50% of cars sold from one country to another.
The rollback device plugs into the OBD port, the same one used for diagnostics. The instrument panel does not have to be removed.
An instrument panel without scratches does not mean the mileage was not touched.
Diagnostics compares the mileage from several computers in the car
The odometer is not the only thing that stores the mileage. The computers in the engine, in the ABS and in the airbags record it too. If the mileage was not changed in all of them, diagnostics shows that the numbers do not match. This does not yet prove the mileage was rolled back, but it is a reason to check further. So always look at the papers too. More about car diagnostics
The wear on the parts must match the mileage
A car that has been driven a lot shows it on the parts the driver touches every day. Look at them before you look at the odometer:
- The rubber on the pedals is badly worn.
- The steering wheel is smooth and shiny where the hands hold it.
- The fabric or leather on the driver's seat is worn.
- The gear knob is worn.
One worn part alone proves nothing. When several parts are worn and the odometer shows low mileage, the car has probably done much more.
The mileage in the papers must keep rising
The mileage is written in the service book, on repair receipts and on the oil change sticker. Put these papers in date order. The mileage must keep rising.
If a higher mileage was recorded earlier than the odometer shows now, the mileage has been rolled back. Years without a single entry are also a reason for caution.
If the car was maintained at the brand's authorised service, ask for the service history there, together with the car's owner. When you can, also ask the previous owner what mileage the car had when they sold it.
How strong the sign is: depends on what you found
- More kilometres were recorded earlier than the odometer shows: the mileage has been rolled back.
- The mileage in the computers does not match: not proof, but a reason to check further.
- Several worn parts but low mileage: the car has probably covered much more.
- Years without a single entry: a reason for caution.
Write the mileage into the contract
In the sales contract, write the mileage the seller claims as the car's actual mileage. That way the mileage is agreed.
Under the Serbian Law on Obligations, the seller is liable when the car does not have what was agreed. If the contract says the seller is not liable for defects, this does not apply to a defect they knew about and did not tell you.
Before signing, also check the VIN, any pledge and the keys. More about buying a used car
For imported cars, a VIN report helps
Cars sold from another country have rolled-back mileage much more often. A free online VIN decoder shows the basic data: make, model and year. The mileage recorded at services and at car sales in other countries is shown by a paid VIN report, if the databases it covers have it. More about checking by VIN
If you find rolled-back mileage after buying
Tell the seller within 8 days of finding it, by registered letter from the post office or another reliable way. Describe what you found and invite them to look at the car.
For a defect that could not be seen during an inspection, the seller is liable for 6 months from handing over the car. If they knew about the defect, they are liable after that too.
You can ask for a lower price or to cancel the contract, plus compensation for damages. If the seller deceived you on purpose, you can also ask for the contract to be annulled. The deadline is 1 year from learning of the deception, and no later than 3 years after signing. When the contract is cancelled or annulled, you return the car and the seller returns your money.
Keep the contract, your messages with the seller and all the car papers.
