odometer tampering

[NutmegCT]

In early June this year, I traded in my 2000 Mazda, on a new car (not a Mazda). My Mazda had 160K, so it was getting a bit "long of tooth".

Yesterday I get a phone call. Guy down toward NYC says he bought my old Mazda for his son and wondered what maintenance I had done to it over the years.

I told him that other than routine oil and filter changes, the only "big" things I did were replace timing belt, water pump, shocks, and brake parts at 100K.

Guy says "but the car only has 60K on the odometer".

hmmmm

He has the title, and on the back it shows I sold the car in 2010, not 2011 - but the last digit of 2010 is "fuzzy". And the odometer reading at time of sale shows 60394 - but there's a fuzzy spot in front of the "6". And there were two more owners since 2010, a wholesaler and then a private owner. The guy who called me is now the fourth owner.

hmmmm

Obviously some laws have been violated, but what does the new owner do to report it? He contacted the guy who sold it to him, who of course says that's the way the title was when he got it. Previous owner also offered to refund the purchase and take the car back.

I'm betting the company which took my trade-in (a big multi-brand dealer here) then sold it to a wholesaler. And the wholesaler maybe did something "creative" to sell it quickly.

Last I looked, odometer tampering - and odometer roll back - are federal crimes. I faxed the guy a copy of my odometer statement showing date and mileage at sale so he has proof.

But who do you contact to report federal odometer fraud?

Thanks.
Tom

 

[lbcs_r_fun]

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">But who do you contact to report federal odometer fraud?</span></span>

I suggest that you stay clear of this one. After all, and unfortunately it's the new owner's problem and not yours!

T

 

[NutmegCT]

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">But who do you contact to report federal odometer fraud?</span></span>

I suggest that you stay clear of this one. After all, and unfortunately it's the new owner's problem and not yours!

T

Agreed. I'm not getting involved. But I still wonder, who do you contact to report odometer tampering and odometer statement fraud? We've got lots of car folks here; someone must have some experience in dealing with this.

Thanks.
Tom

 

[vagt6]

It's a Federal crime. In VA, you can report it to the State Corporation Commission, and also to the Feds.

Shouldn't be hard to do, tell the new buyer to Google it and follow the instructions.

I'd definitely report it if it happened to me.

 

[JPSmit]

It's a Federal crime. In VA, you can report it to the State Corporation Commission, and also to the Feds.

Shouldn't be hard to do, tell the new buyer to Google it and follow the instructions.

I'd definitely report it if it happened to me.

Not sure I'd report it it if it were mine - chance he could end up without a car here.

 

[vagt6]

JP, it's not a crime to purchase a car with an altered speedo if the buyer has no knowledge of the crime at time of sale.

However, if the buyer discovers it after the car's been purchased, he's got grounds for prosecution of the seller, possibly.

It's not a crime to be defrauded.

 

[JPSmit]

JP, it's not a crime to purchase a car with an altered speedo if the buyer has no knowledge of the crime at time of sale.

However, if the buyer discovers it after the car's been purchased, he's got grounds for prosecution of the seller, possibly.

It's not a crime to be defrauded.

Oh I know, just imagining that somehow either the car will be impounded, or returned (for less money) or something - never quite confident that people are acting in the current owner's best interests (or to paraphrase, I'm from the government, I'm here to help you)

 

[vagt6]

I don't disagree with you JP, with the government, one never knows . . . :madder:

 

[scoutll]

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-style: italic">But who do you contact to report federal odometer fraud?</span></span>

I suggest that you stay clear of this one. After all, and unfortunately it's the new owner's problem and not yours!

T

Agreed. I'm not getting involved. But I still wonder, who do you contact to report odometer tampering and odometer statement fraud? We've got lots of car folks here; someone must have some experience in dealing with this.

Thanks.
Tom

I wouldn't go out campaining, but I would definately help in any way I can. This kind of fraud pi**es me off and if the culprets can be stopped, all the better.