Odometer fraud on the rise in Massachusetts

BOSTON — Gone are the days of manually cranking back the mileage to scam a used car buyer. Today, in just seconds, the right electronic equipment can make thousands of miles disappear.

Odometer fraud has evolved, and it’s on the rise, according to Carfax. The company reports more than 1.8 million cars on the road across the country have had their odometers rolled back – a 13 percent annual increase in 2020.

“We know there are more than 37,000 vehicles on the road in the state of Massachusetts that have an odometer rollback,” said Emilie Voss, a spokeswoman for Carfax. “That puts Massachusetts at 13th in the nation.”

Boston itself ranks tenth among the nation’s cities. Voss said most owners have no idea their odometers have been tampered with.

“It can hit you in the pocketbook,” Voss said. “And it can also be a safety issue because a vehicle you that you think has only 75,000 miles on it, but in reality, it has 175,000, it has a very different maintenance schedule and maintenance needs.”

Marisa Mack and her husband bought a 2002 Volvo for $4,000. It was advertised as having 96,000 miles, but when they got home, they found an invoice listing the mileage at 122,000.

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“I opened up the compartment between the driver and passenger’s seat, found the invoice from the auction that they purchased it for $400, and what stood out the most was the mileage,” Mack said. “I was totally upset. I felt like I had just gotten ripped off.”

A Carfax report will flag odometer fraud, as prior inspections show each mileage logged.

But AAA’s “Car Doctor,” John Paul told Boston 25 News there are also physical clues to look for. For example, does the car show low miles, but there is wear and tear that does not add up?

“Wear on the steering wheel, wear on the seats, wear on the gas pedal and brake pedal,” Paul said, adding that just the opposite should raise a red flag. “A car with 20,000 miles on it, chances are it has the original tires on it, for instance. So, if you see brand new tires on the car, why is that?”

Finally, Paul said, potential buyers should only purchase a car from a reputable dealer or someone they know.

“Whenever you know the history, that’s always the best purchase,” Paul said.

Along with the Carfax report, the company urges potential used car buyers also to get an independent inspection by a certified mechanic and to take the car on a test drive.

If anyone has fallen victim to odometer fraud, they can file a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office or find more information here.

Cox Media Group