Modifying the odometer count on a new vehicle?
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Elder User
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Modifying the odometer count on a new vehicle?
Not Ford related but it seems no one knows the answer so I will try here. I am considering getting a 2009 Jetta TDI but the Carfax report on the vehicle I am getting shows inconsistent odometer reports.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...e&aff=national
Click "CARFAX 1-Owner Vehicle View Free Report" at the top right.
At one point the vehicle was reported as having 13,359 miles. I looked at the vehicle today and it shows 4,445 miles on the odometer, the dealer said it had 4,161 miles in the ad and they only get the vehicle in a week ago and they claim no one has test drove it besides myself.
I am wondering what would be required to modify the odometer on a Jetta. Considering the odometer is digital I would image the only way to modify the mileage would be to swap the ECU out with that of another vehicle. In which case is the VIN printed on the ECU anywhere to confirm that its the original ECU? That is assuming the odometer count is stored in the ECU and not the instrument cluster or something else. Anyone else have any input?
Is there another way to help determine the true mileage such as measuring the tread depth of the stock tires with a vernier caliper?
Click "CARFAX 1-Owner Vehicle View Free Report" at the top right.
At one point the vehicle was reported as having 13,359 miles. I looked at the vehicle today and it shows 4,445 miles on the odometer, the dealer said it had 4,161 miles in the ad and they only get the vehicle in a week ago and they claim no one has test drove it besides myself.
I am wondering what would be required to modify the odometer on a Jetta. Considering the odometer is digital I would image the only way to modify the mileage would be to swap the ECU out with that of another vehicle. In which case is the VIN printed on the ECU anywhere to confirm that its the original ECU? That is assuming the odometer count is stored in the ECU and not the instrument cluster or something else. Anyone else have any input?
Is there another way to help determine the true mileage such as measuring the tread depth of the stock tires with a vernier caliper?
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
unless you can get it for next to nothing, i would run away from that car.
something is very fishy with the 9,000 mile discrepancy in the mileage as reported by Hawaii DMV.
something is very fishy with the 9,000 mile discrepancy in the mileage as reported by Hawaii DMV.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bristol, TN.
A tough call because I have seen Carfax I know are wrong. All it takes is a wrong keystroke. Last time I took my car in, they wrote down the trip set rather than the overall mileage. I didn't discover it until I got home, but if it makes it to Carfax, it will make it look like the odometer was turned back over 30,000 miles. Had the same thing happen to a friend with a diesel pickup. All I am saying here is to take the Carfax with a grain of salt, if everything else checks out. Just because its on the report does not mean it is right. Those folks make mistakes just like all of us.
Steve
Steve
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Well as I understand it, its very difficult to falsify the odometer on a digital instrument cluster. I think such would require replacing a rather expensive part (the ECU). Is is possible to electronically read the VIN from the OBD II port? If the VIN supplied by the ECU matches the VIN on the dash, the mileage is likely correct as I believe the odometer reading is stored in the ECU.
Hotshot
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From: Bristol, TN.
Steve
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
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Posting Guru
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From: West Valley Utah
Look at the dates on the car fax report. 4/6/09 had 104 miles when sold new, 8 months later 12/17/09 shows 13,359. Can you drive over 13,000 miles in 8 months on an island? Guess you could but you'd have to live in the car!
I'd say it was a key stroke error, someone bumped the 1, should have read 3,359 then the next report shows 4,445 which would make sense.
I'd say it was a key stroke error, someone bumped the 1, should have read 3,359 then the next report shows 4,445 which would make sense.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
> Well as I understand it, its very difficult to falsify the odometer on a digital instrument cluster.
It is not tough to swap in one that is stolen or salvaged from another vehicle or a (ford) PSOM with lower mileage.
I knew a service manager who's SHO always had under 12,000 miles on it.
I do not know about VWs. For those of us that can program in machine language, have built boards, that know what a S-100 is, and know how to use a logic probe, resetting any speedo back to zero, mechanical or electronic is no big deal. The info is out there for Atari fans.
It is not tough to swap in one that is stolen or salvaged from another vehicle or a (ford) PSOM with lower mileage.
I knew a service manager who's SHO always had under 12,000 miles on it.
I do not know about VWs. For those of us that can program in machine language, have built boards, that know what a S-100 is, and know how to use a logic probe, resetting any speedo back to zero, mechanical or electronic is no big deal. The info is out there for Atari fans.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,476
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From: Frequently frozen MN
It would seem pretty silly to take 9K off the odometer. Doesn't seem like it would make that much difference. Plus you have 2 inconsistent readings.
I'd be more worried about an intermittent odometer.
Otherwise, it seems to have seen a lot of activity for a one owner vehicle. Maybe they're all like that.
What I would worry about somewhat is that it was registered as a fleet/lease vehicle.
I'd be more worried about an intermittent odometer.
Otherwise, it seems to have seen a lot of activity for a one owner vehicle. Maybe they're all like that.
What I would worry about somewhat is that it was registered as a fleet/lease vehicle.
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
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ya not hard to just swap guage cluster...thats what holds the odo reading but on the car fax thing my 99 f-150 apparently had 5 insurance claims and repairs.....this summer i restored it top to bottom even stripped it to bare steel.......that thing has never had a panel repaired or replaced all panels still had yellow e-cote on them and replacement parts dont come with that just a black sealer.....i dont think personally that car fax is anything to rely on....just my poinion tho.....
Moderator
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From: Greenfield, MA
There is a possibility that the odo had to be replaced for some reason. If this was done legitimately there would be a sticker on the door jamb stating such. In that case the car would have close to 18,000 miles on it.
It would make absolutely no sense financially to take 9000 miles off the odometer in an attempt to increase the value.
Perhaps a VW dealer could run a warranty repair history for you to help you track down the reason.
It would make absolutely no sense financially to take 9000 miles off the odometer in an attempt to increase the value.
Perhaps a VW dealer could run a warranty repair history for you to help you track down the reason.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Clarksburg WV
Look at the dates on the car fax report. 4/6/09 had 104 miles when sold new, 8 months later 12/17/09 shows 13,359. Can you drive over 13,000 miles in 8 months on an island? Guess you could but you'd have to live in the car!
I'd say it was a key stroke error, someone bumped the 1, should have read 3,359 then the next report shows 4,445 which would make sense.
I'd say it was a key stroke error, someone bumped the 1, should have read 3,359 then the next report shows 4,445 which would make sense.