Salient Features of The Federal Odometer Tampering Law

The Federal Odometer Tampering Law, or the FOTL, was created to protect consumers from deceptive business practices and ensure that there is an accurate starting value of miles on vehicles. 

This law protects drivers from any businesses that could attempt to alter a vehicle’s odometer readings with an intent to deceive the buyer. The FOTL only penalizes a company for tampering if it is found guilty of doing so for a second time. Cars over 10 years old are exempt from the seller disclosure in California.

The FOTL was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on January 4, 1988. It was the first federal law that sought to protect drivers from companies who tampered with odometers with intent to deceive the buyer. It helps buyers to know how to tell how many miles a car has without an odometer.

The law states that any business or individual who is caught tampering with an odometer for a second time will be fined 20 times the amount of as much as three times the profit obtained from the attempt to deceive.

What does the Federal Odometer Tampering Law state?

Many car buyers are interested to know how many miles a car has without an odometer. This is a fraudulent practice applied by shady sellers. This is where the FOTL will come in handy for used car buyers. 

1. FOTL penalizes any business or individual who tampered with an odometer on a vehicle for the purpose of deceiving the buyer. It may be fined a minimum amount of $1,000. It will also be prosecuted by law enforcement.

2. A law enforcement officer must notify the Federal Trade Commission if they find out that a business has tampered with an odometer for the purpose of deceiving its customer. This demonstration of intent to deceive is required before any charges are filed against a company.

3. Under the provisions of the law, the seller must mention on the title that the odometer has incorrect reading. 

4. A law enforcement officer is not required to have any proof if they believe that tampering has occurred. If the officer is convinced that a company tampered with an odometer, then they will make the commission aware of their findings.

5. A law enforcement official may fine a company up to 20 times the amount obtained by any profit generated from the manipulation of an odometer.

6. It is illegal for a private citizen or business to tamper with an odometer without first consulting the owner of the vehicle.

7. Cars older than 10 years are exempt from seller disclosure in California. 

With these tips, used car buyers get to know their rights under the Federal Odometer Tampering Law.

Andrew Richardson is the author of this Article. To know more about Historical Odometer Record please visit our website: allenstewart.com

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Created on May 19th 2022 06:32. Viewed 141 times.

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