Q: I have a 2014 BMW 535xi that I purchased used from the BMW dealer with 39,867 miles on it. The dealer did all of the paperwork, and I received the title in the mail.
Recently, I went to trade in my car and was told that the CARFAX report indicates the odometer was rolled back at some point. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) could not help me. The selling dealership also declined to help, so I’m thinking of hiring a lawyer. What do you think I should do?
-Darryl Montgomery from New York City, New York
A: Hello, Darryl. While a rolled-back digital odometer isn’t completely out of the question, I’m more inclined to believe that there was a clerical error (possibly in the CARFAX report) made somewhere along the way.
It’s not uncommon for these types of errors to occur. For example, if a repair shop entered an incorrect (higher) mileage reading while servicing the vehicle, that incorrect reading could end up in the CARFAX report. Then the next time the (true) odometer reading was recorded, the discrepancy in the two readings might make it seem as though the car experienced an odometer rollback.
I suggest taking a close look at the CARFAX report if you haven’t already. After reviewing the document, you might be able to infer whether the inconsistency in the odometer readings is due to a clerical error or potential fraud. If it looks like there was a data entry error, you might be able to straighten things out by visiting the repair facility that made the mistake.
In other words: I would dig a little deeper before taking the CARFAX report at face value and hiring a lawyer.
Good luck!
Odometer Fraud Is On the Rise
According to CARFAX, odometer fraud was detected in over 2.1 million vehicles in 2024. This is a stark 18% increase in cases since 2021.
Odometer fraud is on the rise as it has become increasingly easier to tamper with the device. Because of this, it’s strongly recommended to have a vehicle inspected by a trusted professional before buying it. This way, they can help you determine whether or not the odometer has been tampered with, preventing you from getting scammed.
The states with the most cases of odometer fraud include California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Arizona.
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