So, how can you tell if a car's mileage has been tampered with? 

This is a very common question that plagues many buyers of used and pre-owned vehicles.

Buying a used vehicle has a number of advantages, and getting attractive and affordable prices is the main one. 

However, when proper precautions are not taken, this type of purchase comes with pitfalls. 

Therefore, checking the vehicle's mileage is essential to ensure that the car has a good history, is in good working condition, and is not hiding any problems. 

Since it's a durable asset that you'll have for many years, it's important to evaluate the cost-benefit ratio of the vehicle and the deal. 

Furthermore, seeking professional help is more than advisable in this type of business! 

Ultimately, to alter a car's mileage, scammers use various tricks to deceive a prospective buyer. 

So, the secret is to take some precautions before closing a deal involving a used or nearly new car. 

So, in today's article, our experts bring you a series of tips and suggestions for checking your car's odometer.

This way, you'll know if the car's mileage has been tampered with or if it still has the original odometer reading.

So, let's find out how to do this assessment?

It's important to know if the car's mileage has been tampered with because mileage is a record of the vehicle's usage.

Although it's just a number, in practical terms, mileage says a lot about the condition of the car.

Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the mileage. 

First and foremost: if you are looking for a used car, you need to consider your intended use.

The need for use includes the search profile and how the car will be used after purchase. 

So, for example, if you're looking for a car for daily use, without significant commuting needs or intensive use, the mileage can be higher. 

However, if you're looking for a car for frequent trips and high mileage, then it's essential to choose a vehicle with lower mileage, so you won't need to perform repairs and maintenance so soon!

Therefore, the logic here is quite simple:

If you buy a vehicle with high mileage, you will quickly need to spend money on maintenance and parts replacements, which is not advantageous.

That's why it's so important to know if a car's mileage has been tampered with.

And that's what we're going to teach you now! 

Now that you know the importance of mileage when choosing a vehicle, it's time to find out if the car's mileage has been tampered with.

To help with this, our experts have put together some simple tips that you can easily implement. 

Let's get to know each of them now! 

A simple way to tell if a car's mileage has been tampered with is by checking the documentation.

Therefore, it is possible to trace the vehicle's origin and check its status with official agencies, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (Detran).

For this, you only need to have the CRLV – Vehicle Registration and Licensing Certificate – in hand. 

With this document, it is possible to access a range of information about the car, such as:

License plate, chassis number, fuel type, and mileage at the time of the last mandatory inspection.

Furthermore, it's important to remember that nowadays, there are apps that offer this consultation so that the buyer feels more secure when purchasing a pre-owned or used vehicle.

If the previous owner was careful, he will still have the manual. 

The owner's manual is important for verifying the maintenance records of the car.

If the maintenance was performed at the dealership, a stamp is applied.

This stamp shows the date of the service and the current mileage. 

If the maintenance was carried out in a workshop, then demand the invoices for the procedure. 

It's important to remember that today's dealership networks operate with computerized and interconnected systems.

Therefore, it is possible to consult the history of services performed on the vehicle over the years and know the mileage for each procedure. 

In this way, with this information, it becomes easier to compare dates and mileage, eliminating doubts about odometer tampering. 

A sticker is placed on the car during oil changes.

Typically, this sticker is placed on the upper right side of the windshield, indicating the vehicle's mileage at the time of the last oil change. 

Malicious individuals alter the mileage, but forget this incriminating detail.

Therefore, pay attention to the oil change stickers. 

A number of items inside the car give clear indications of how the vehicle has been used.

Door sills, wear marks on door handles, gear shift lever, driver's seat foam, and pedals give clues as to the actual age of the vehicle.

Therefore, before finalizing your purchase, carefully review these details. 

A car with less than 50,000 km on the odometer should have these items in excellent condition. 

Thus, in general, all parts of the car that are subject to friction, whether between themselves, with passengers, or with cargo, show wear and tear. 

Therefore, the condition of the carpets and seats indicates, for example, whether the vehicle is nearly new or used. 

Therefore, if you come across signs of wear but low mileage, be suspicious! 

Continuing with our tips on how to tell if a car's mileage has been tampered with, it's also important to look at the exterior of the vehicle.

Scratches on the bodywork, scratches on bumpers and mirrors, sun damage, and rust spots – especially on the floor – are classic indicators that the car has suffered from use and age. 

Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to the painting. 

After all, some damage takes a long time to occur, such as paint fading.

Also, take a good look at the plastic parts inside.

They usually become whitish over the years, and this is an indication of how much the car has been used.

Inspecting the engine is another effective way to determine if the car's mileage has been tampered with. 

If the vehicle shows signs of external use, but the engine is clean, it means it was washed to hide leaks or defects. 

Therefore, it's quite common for more experienced buyers to look for a bit of dirt under the hood.

Ultimately, this ensures that the engine hasn't been cosmetically modified.

Furthermore, if there are new screws in worn parts or signs of tightening, walk away, as it's a clear sign that the engine has undergone some kind of repair. 

Checking the tires is also very important when we talk about a vehicle's mileage.

A set of tires lasts between 40,000 and 60,000 km. 

In other words, if the car you are evaluating has lower mileage than that, the tires should be original. 

But how can you tell if the tires are original?

Many people don't know this, but it's easy to find out if the tire is the same one that came from the factory. 

On the outside of the tire there is the acronym DOT – Department of Transportation – and after the acronym there are four numbers. 

The first two digits indicate the month and the last two digits indicate the year of production.

Therefore, the tire's manufacturing year must match the car's year!

Many people are unfamiliar with mechanics and may end up confused when trying to determine if a car's mileage has been tampered with.

Therefore, to assess a car as a whole and ensure that the mileage is genuine, rely on your trusted mechanic.

Schedule a time with him so you can both view the vehicle you want to buy together. 

This is one of the most effective ways to check the mileage of your future car.

Besides finding out if the car's mileage has been tampered with, another very common question from buyers is whether the car has been auctioned off.

Today, auctions are becoming increasingly safe and popular; however, many people are still hesitant to buy a vehicle that has already been auctioned.

So, to help you with this issue as well, our experts have prepared some excellent material.

This material contains tips to find out if the car you are looking to buy has been auctioned off or not.

Are you curious? Do you want to find out if the car you're negotiating has been through an auction?

Then just click below!