EdupradaYou have decided to buy a used vehicle. You have taken the time to browse the classified ads newspapers and dedicated websites. Several cars have caught your attention, they have interesting criteria and their prices are within your budget.
You’re ready to splurge on one of them, but you want to be sure you’re getting a deal! You are afraid that the mileage indicated is falsified and you want to learn 1 or 2 tips to check the real mileage of a used car. You are in the right place ! Here is a guide to help you.
Why Should You Check The Mileage Of a Used Vehicle?
When you are about to buy a vehicle on the used market, you must pay attention to its mileage. For what? Because it is an important indicator! Indeed, mileage has a real impact on the value of the car you want to purchase.
You see, the rating of a vehicle drops each year depending on the age of the car , but also the numbers marked on the odometer. In fact, mileage is simply an indicator of wear. This is, in a way, the history of the car you want to buy.
You may think that you can trust these figures, unfortunately, some unscrupulous sellers do not hesitate to tamper with the meters . If in the past this practice was reserved for certain initiates, the arrival of electronic meters has changed the situation. Now, changing the screen display has become child’s play!
Does this statement scare you? Rest assured, we are going to offer you some tips to know the real mileage of a car.
Check The Electronic Braking Module Before Purchasing
Did you know ? When a malicious individual modifies a car’s odometer, they rarely alter the electronic braking module . What is it about ? The electronic brake module is a part that records mileage continuously to provide clear information in the event of a repair.
A mechanic equipped with a computer case will be able to access this data to check the mileage of a used vehicle.
Seek The Expertise Of A Professional
Professional mechanics who operate within car dealerships and certified partners have various technical means which allow them to uncover a good number of embezzlements. In a nutshell, they hold both the equipment and the knowledge to check the mileage of used vehicles.
IMPORTANT :
Of course, these services have a cost , but it is better to invest a few extra euros when purchasing a car rather than finding yourself in the presence of a tampered with meter.
Check The Maintenance Log
Here is an easy tip to put into practice to detect vehicles whose meter has been pushed back: you will carefully analyze the maintenance logbook . For what? Quite simply because this document contains all the information relating to interventions carried out on the machine.
Oil changes, replacement of brake pads or engine checks… Everything is recorded down to the smallest detail with the date and mileage in effect at the time of the intervention.
Thanks to this real health record of the car, you can track its age and mileage . And that’s not all ! If in doubt, it is easy to check the conformity of the information entered in the booklet with the various professionals mentioned.
Take A Look At The Technical Controls
The technical inspection documents provide you with a lot of information on the state of health of the vehicle. It also includes the exact mileage of the car each time it was presented for examination. Thanks to this sesame, you are sure of the age and mileage of the car you wish to acquire.
Do a Visual Inspection
Want to spot mileage fraud in an instant? In this case, carry out a very careful visual inspection of the vehicle, examining it from all angles. It’s time to turn yourself into a detective and note all the details that seem important to you. Check, for example, the pedals for wear or the condition of the gear knob.
If these parts are very damaged even though the car has few kilometers on the odometer, you may ask yourself questions.
What To Do In Case Of Fraud?
When buying a used vehicle, you must be vigilant to avoid falling into the traps of scammers. Unfortunately, we cannot predict all scenarios and some people are victims of malicious acts.
Is this your case? If you are the victim of a mileage scam, you have options to take action! You must send a letter with acknowledgment of receipt without delay to the seller to demand the application of the legal guarantee of concealed screws or, if you prefer, the cancellation of the sale .
The seller does not respond to your mail? Do not lose hope! In this case, request a contradictory expertise to establish the damage and costs. You can then go to court who will order a legal expertise. If fraud is proven, you may obtain compensation.