How to determine the actual mileage when buying

When purchasing a used car, you must ensure that it is in good condition. This will help run. But the seller is not always ready to name the real mileage. You can check the odometer, but it is often twisted to hide the real readings.

How, then, to find out how much the car drove and not become a victim of fraudsters? There are several ways in which it will be possible to determine both real and approximate vehicle mileage. But before describing these methods, it is necessary to clarify what an odometer is and how its readings are twisted.

What is odometer

In simple terms, this is a device that counts the number of revolutions made by the wheel.Thanks to this counter, you can find out the path traveled by the car for all the time of operation.

The principle of operation of the odometer is simple. For each kilometer wheel makes a certain number of revolutions. The device calculates the distance traveled and translates the information into human-readable numbers. These data are displayed on the instrument panel in the form of a mechanical or electronic dial.

There are three types of odometer:

• mechanical;
• electromechanical;
• electronic.

Mechanical odometer equipped with old-style cars. The counter is located on the dashboard. The design of the device is simple - it has a set of drums with interchangeable numbers. They are activated by a cable running from the gearbox.

Electron-mechanical odometer is similar to the device of the first type, but is not equipped with a cable-driven gearbox. Instead of a cable, the device has a motor that is driven by electrical signals coming through the wires from the speed sensor.

Electronic cars are equipped with an electronic odometer. Unlike mechanical, this meter has an LCD display that displays mileage.Information about the kilometers traveled comes from various sensors and is stored in the onboard computer memory.

How fraudsters twist odometer

The main task of any odometer is to display information about the mileage. These readings are important when buying a used car. Nobody will get a car with huge mileage. Therefore, sellers have adapted to twist (reduce) the actual mileage for the profitable sale of the car. To avoid becoming a victim of fraud by crooks, you need to know how they do it.

The mechanical odometer reading is very easy to change. Such a counter is driven by a rope and turns in two directions: forward - kilometers are added, and backward - are reduced. Sellers know this feature of a mechanical odometer. Therefore, they detach the cable from the gearbox and twist it in the opposite direction. As a result, they manage without difficulty to establish an attractive mileage for the buyer.

In order to change the readings of the electronic mechanical counter dismantle the dashboard. Get to the motor with a dial and wind the appropriate mileage.After such an intervention, the drums, as a rule, stand unevenly.

Electronic odometer readings are more difficult to reduce, but they are also amenable to adjustment. To do this, use a computer and special software. By connecting to the diagnostic connector of the dashboard, the scammers make changes to the memory where the mileage data is stored. For a more thorough adjustment of the mileage, the instrument panel is disassembled, the desired chip is soldered and reflashed using the programmer.

How to determine the actual mileage

In the case of a mechanical odometer, the numbers on the drum should be placed strictly in one line. In the process of twisting in the opposite direction, they become crooked - this is a sure sign of interference. Also inspect the cable fixing points. If the fastening nut is loosened, you will notice it by scratches.

Determining whether the mileage is twisted on the electronic odometer is more difficult. For this you need a computer, a diagnostic scanner and skills to deal with a special program. Information about the mileage is stored not only in the memory of the BC or in the instrument panel chip.It is also duplicated in various electronic sensors, for example: ABS, gearbox, handouts, keys, etc. If the readings were changed only on the dashboard, then the actual mileage will be found out by conducting a diagnostic of duplicate sensors.

Professional fraudsters have learned to make adjustments to the mileage wherever information about it is stored. Most often, full processing of all sensors is done on expensive foreign cars. An ordinary person will not be able to determine the actual mileage. In this case, you must contact the official auto repair service for diagnostics. They will prove or disprove interference with the meter readings.

There are other methods for determining mileage. They do not reflect the real odometer readings, but help to approximately understand how long the car went. If you notice a discrepancy between the small number of mileage on the meter and the poor condition of the car, this is a reason to doubt and abandon the purchase.

Determination of mileage as a body

A large number of chips, streaks on the paintwork, cracks, dents - evidence of significant mileage.However, as a body, exact mileage cannot be determined. The car sometimes looks older than it actually is. This is due to the characteristics of the operating environment. Therefore, during the inspection, consider the area in which the car traveled.

Cars with low mileage, but with a large number of chips and tarnished paintwork should alert you. It is also considered suspicious if a car with high mileage has an excellent body condition. This may indicate that the vehicle has been painted. The body of such a car must be checked with a special device - a thickness gauge.

Pay attention to the arches and thresholds. Paint and varnish on these elements of the body over time are subject to significant environmental exposure. The rotten through parts of arches and thresholds indicate a big age of the car.

Determination of the mileage as a salon

Leather interior wears out faster than the fabric. Therefore, cracks and frayed areas in the driver’s seat, trimmed with leather, speak of a mileage of more than 100 thousand km.The chair, covered with a cloth, but having erased and dirty areas, indicates a mileage of more than 150 thousand km. Also note the side support cushions. If they diverge at the seams, this is also an indicator of the long operation of the car.

Lift the rubber mat in the driver's seat and see what condition the carpet is in. Due to frequent contact with shoes, it wears out. Small attritions are characteristic for a run of 50–100 thousand km. If the carpet has holes, then the mileage of the car is close to 200 thousand km.

In most cases, the cabin can be judged on the age of the car. Mismatch with low mileage, high operational wear and tear indicates that they want to mislead you.

Determination of mileage as a result of controls

1. Steering wheel. If the steering wheel is scuffed, it indicates the age of the car. However, defects on the steering wheel may not always appear even after prolonged use. For example, the wheel could be replaced with a new one or it was always in the case.
2. Pedals. The age of the car gives the status of the pedal pad. If the seller swears that the car has passed, for example, 60 thousand.km, and the gum on the pedals erased to the metal, probably deceiving you.
3. Lever arm. The scuffs of the handle from the manual transmission indicate the duration of use of the vehicle. Pay attention to the leather boot of the lever - it should not have obvious signs of wear.
4. Buttons. If the gear lever and pedals can be replaced, in order to hide the real run, the buttons are forgotten. Meanwhile, over time, wear appears on them.

The methods described in this article will help to independently assess and learn the mileage of the car, but not in all cases. Many sellers know about these methods and try to eliminate all signs of a large mileage. To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the machine. Consider not only the odometer numbers, but also the external and technical condition of the car. If you have any doubts regarding the stated mileage, refrain from buying and look for another option.

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