How to Tell How Many Miles a Car Has Without Odometer?

by Andrew Richardson allenstewart

Less or more, mileage is one of the most important factors to be considered by car buyers. The main reason for this is, of course, the rise in fuel prices. Modern cars come with a fuel economy indicator in the dashboard that        helps you drive in the most fuel-efficient manner. But in older cars, they were not. Knowing about the miles traveled through some visible signs can help you.  

1 - From vehicle history report

A Vehicle History Report collects sales, repair, and mileage data from repair shops, state inspection centers, and Department of Motor Vehicles records. Insurance companies can generate this report based on the VIN when the vehicle is inspected. This way, the adjuster will have the last known mileage.

2 - VIN or vehicle identification number

The VIN is unique to every car, not for the make or model but for the vehicle body. With VIN checking websites, you can view complete vehicle history reports at different time points. You type in the VIN, and you will get a report with full mileage history and whether the odometer was tampered with.

3 - The computer records

You can validate your car by clocking your odometer using computerized diagnostic tools. Computer diagnostics will help identify approximate data about the distance you can rely on when making an assessment. But this method is not the only one to estimate mileage, as it may not be too precise.

4 – Maintenance records

The recent maintenance records obtain the last known mileage readings and may be more accurate than vehicle history reports. If you don't have your own maintenance record, you can always call your repair shop or tire shops and ask them to fax or email your adjuster directly.

5 - Stickers and oil change 

A sticker is obtained every time a car part is inspected. These stickers are usually found under the hood of the car or inside the door. Note the last date to see if it matches with the documents. No sticker, but a sticky residue means there is tampering with the odometer.

6 - Worn out pedals

The moment you use the car for the first time, you will notice that the area around the pedals and the driver's side has worn out. These conditions indicate someone has used their car for a long time. If the pedals and driver's side carpet look excessively worn, but the car has low mileage, the odometer is manipulated. 

All things considered

You buy a vehicle from a seller who doesn't have enough knowledge to disclose details. In case of exempt seller disclosure in California, consult a leading attorney.

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Created on Nov 21st 2021 04:05. Viewed 133 times.

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