Want to buy a used car and get a good deal? Carefree ! To do this, you must trace the history of the vehicle and check its mileage. This last point is very important! Bad faith sellers sometimes tamper with the meter of the car to sell it for more. How to avoid such a scam? Follow our advice! We will guide you, just to make the right choice!
The model and mileage of a used car are important indicators for evaluating the famous quality/price ratio. Also, high mileage cars are not very coveted. For good reason, some scrupulous sellers tamper with the actual mileage of the vehicle. In this article, we present tips to prevent you from falling into the trap. We will make you good buyers!
Why is knowing the actual mileage of a car important?
Mileage is an essential indicator for vehicle buyers. For what ? It is very simple ! This is what makes it possible to assess the value and general condition of the car. Let’s get into the heart of the subject ! The mileage gives the buyer clues regarding the vehicle’s age, engine performance and quality of equipment. Regardless of the model, buyers are not very attracted to a car with high mileage. Be careful, the latter can sometimes be tampered with!
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Large selection of used vehicles – Source: spm
Changing the actual mileage of cars: a widespread practice
Yes, be careful or you risk having bad surprises! Changing the mileage of cars is a widespread practice, especially for older models. And this for many reasons :
- Conceal the actual wear of the car;
- Impact its current value on the market and its selling price;
- Make the potential buyer believe that it has traveled fewer kilometres.
Don’t worry, we’ll show you how to find out if a vehicle’s mileage has been tampered with. Let’s get to the point!
Beware of bargains! Let’s be realistic, a price well below the market price surely hides anomalies. You will be fooled on the real age of the vehicle, its duration of use, its condition, its mileage… Over time, your maintenance costs and your safety will pay the consequences!
Fortunately, checking the actual mileage of a used car is still possible. We present various tips to protect you from tampered odometers and help you make the right choice. Let’s go !
Used car odometer – Source: spm
Trace the history of the car with HistoVec
Set up by the Ministry of the Interior, “Histovec” is a website that provides access to the complete history of a vehicle: date of first year of circulation, changes of owner, claims or administrative status. But not only ! You can also view the exact mileage of the vehicle in question. This service is offered to buyers and sellers of used cars. Pretty handy, isn’t it?
Make a diagnosis in a workshop
Before hitting the road and making a long trip, drivers generally plan to carry out a complete diagnosis, to leave with peace of mind. However, this diagnosis established by automotive professionals also makes it possible to determine the actual mileage of a vehicle. Once the machine supposed to establish the diagnosis is connected, the equipment instantly displays the real mileage of the car.
Check the maintenance book and the technical checks
The maintenance log and technical controls are also important elements that reveal the exact mileage of a car. How ? Analyze the consistency of the dates recorded as well as the progression of the mileage. To help you a little more, count on average 9,000 kilometers per year for a gasoline vehicle, and 16,000 kilometers per year for a diesel car. If in doubt, you can call on a professional specialized in carrying out technical checks. Do not hesitate !
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Changing the mileage of a car is punishable by law?
Although this practice is within everyone’s reach, tampering with a vehicle’s odometer is illegal. So, punishable by law! This is generally done through small boxes easily accessible on the internet, which allow you to lower the mileage or modify the data related to maintenance.
You would have understood it ! Low mileage vehicles are generally considered more reliable and safer than high mileage ones. Apply our tips to avoid falling into the trap!
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