How to know if the odo was tampered with?
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
How to know if the odo was tampered with?
I need to know if the odometer has ever been tampered with(LS430, LS460).
Does the car's computer throw an error code? If so, is it accessible through the dealer's secret menu?
Is there any way to verify the odo reading other than the maintenance records?
Thanks.
Does the car's computer throw an error code? If so, is it accessible through the dealer's secret menu?
Is there any way to verify the odo reading other than the maintenance records?
Thanks.
#2
If it was done at the shop that does this for a living, then there is no way for you to find out. They will clear all error codes and even reset your key as well. Some cars, BMW for example, in addition to storing ODO reading in the cars computer, also stores it in the key. This way, even if you reset cars computer, as soon as you start the car with your key, it would reset back to original. A lot of car manufacturers these days implement all kinds of barriers to prevent this stuff (rolling odometers back) from happening. It put a few "car dealers" out of business and some in jail.
Last edited by dimapb; 09-15-10 at 10:33 AM.
#3
Instructor
Do a carfax on it and see if anything looks funny on it. For example, before I picked up my LS, I was looking at an 08' GS460 that was purchased in late 07. This was a few months ago and the ODO read 11,xxx but when I checked the carfax, the 11,xxx were put on the car in the first year when it went in for some kind of service and then fell off the carfax map. That means the car sat for 2 years. I wasnt sure what to make of it so I passed. Didnt ask any questions since I was more interested in the LS anyways but it just seemed fishy.
#4
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
But as you said if the odometer can be rolled back, the key can be reset.
You're right. Carfax can sometimes be quite helpful. But as you know not everything shows up on a Carfax report. Plus I don't live in the US, so Carfax isn't as helpful in my case.
Thanks!
#5
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djeddieo
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
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09-28-22 12:52 PM