How to spot a clocked odometer

Between a car with 90,000 km and one with 180,000 km there is usually a big difference in price, and that is exactly why mileage gets rolled back. The number on the display proves nothing by itself. What matters is whether the papers, the wear and the car's history fit it. A detailed article is on the blog: How to spot a clocked odometer. Here are the main points.

Service book and invoices. The mileage on stamps and invoices should rise steadily. If a record jumps backwards or there is a gap of several years, ask for an explanation. Invoices from a garage carry more weight than an undated stamp.

Wear that doesn't fit. A smooth steering wheel, worn pedals, a frayed side bolster on the driver's seat and a polished gear knob on a car that is supposed to have "only" 80,000 km. These parts can be replaced, so brand-new pedals in an older car are suspicious too.

Roadworthiness test records. Every inspection records the odometer reading. Compare the mileage from the last record with what the seller claims. If today's number is lower than on an old test, the case is clear.

Diagnostics. Newer cars store the mileage in several control units. A garage with diagnostic equipment can compare them, and if the values differ, someone has tampered with the car.

Parts with a limited life. The clutch, timing drive or shock absorbers are replaced by mileage. If a low-mileage car has already had a replacement that the manufacturer prescribes much later, ask why. Intervals differ by engine, so look them up in the service plan of the specific car.

Older ads. The same car is often sold repeatedly. If you find it in an older ad with a higher mileage, you have your answer. In Carnado you search many marketplaces at once, which speeds up this check.

Independent inspection. A technician with diagnostics and a paint gauge costs a fraction of what you would overpay. Book one before you sign the contract, not after.

If the condition of the car, its history and the price don't add up, trust what you see on the car more than the number on the odometer. You can have the contract state that the seller guarantees the mileage shown. In a later dispute that is a useful document.

The whole inspection procedure is in the pre-purchase checklist.

Do you have your own experience with a clocked car, or don't know how to read a specific service record? Write it here in the thread.