Does an Engine Swap Reset a Vehicle’s Mileage? Straight Answers

The straightforward answer is no, replacing an engine doesn’t reset the vehicle’s odometer.

A car’s mileage tells you the distance it’s traveled throughout its years of use. The odometer doesn’t reset when the engine is replaced because the odometer isn’t connected to the engine. Instead, the odometer is connected to the front wheel hub. Hence, any changes made to the engine won’t affect the odometer reading. Your car’s mileage will only be reset by tampering with the odometer.

The mileage indicated in the odometer is intended to show the number of miles traveled by the entire vehicle. This includes its chassis, suspension, and transmission. Therefore, replacing the engine alone shouldn’t reduce the odometer’s reading, as it’s supposed to indicate the total number of miles that have been driven by all the vehicle’s parts.

Is Resetting the Odometer Legal?

While it’s possible to reset the odometer, it’s illegal to do so. If you’re trying to sell your vehicle, resetting the mileage can upset the person you’re dealing with since you’re not truthfully representing the vehicle’s real mileage. You can be sued for falsifying records and interfering with your car’s legal papers if you tamper with the odometer. Additionally, altering the odometer reading for a sales transaction misrepresents the car’s genuine mileage. As a result, it can endanger the new owner’s safety, since vehicles that have more mileage can have more worn-out components, which can make the vehicle unsafe.

Most vehicles require routine maintenance at specific intervals and mileage. When an odometer is reset or altered, it can cause mechanics to miss out on any needed fixes or checks indicated in the vehicle’s maintenance schedule.

There is a federal law that makes altering the odometer illegal. Section two of 49 U.S.C. 32703 clearly indicates that disconnecting, resetting, or changing an odometer with the intent to alter a vehicle’s mileage is prohibited.

The only legal reason you can tamper with the odometer is if it’s malfunctioning. For example, if it isn’t registering the correct number of miles. But even so, you should only repair the odometer. The number of miles indicated shouldn’t be changed.