How To Check If Mileage Is Genuine And Why This Information Is So Important?

How to check if mileage is genuine is one of the trickiest questions that come to our minds when buying a car. Recently, a lot of people have tried to artificially change the correct odometer reading and display faulty mileage on the instrument cluster. There are several techniques for determining accuracy. Verifying the mileage will be beneficial not only if you already own a vehicle, but also if you decide to purchase one in the future. Sometimes, the odometer fails to operate correctly due to various causes, or individuals change or roll back numbers for their benefit. Regardless of the reason, you have to know how to check actual miles on a car and also be able to locate a method to access the encoded information about the car. Sometimes, this process can be confusing and complicated, but the result is truly worth all your effort. 

Before we get into the specific recommendations and strategies on how to check the actual mileage of a car, let’s define odometer fraud, what it is, how it affects an automobile, why people try to reset history, and what precautionary measures are against it. You will also discover why mileage remains important today, and what the most common source of inaccurate information is.

What is odometer tampering? 

Odometer fraud is the intentional disconnecting, resetting, or modification of a car’s odometer in order to modify the number of kilometers displayed. It is also known as “Clocking,” which is the process of reversing mileage data so that it appears to have gone fewer kilometers than it has. There are numerous causes for this, and it has become standard practice. This is why you should know how to check if mileage is genuine in your vehicle.

You might mistakenly believe that this custom resumed in the aftermath of the 1990s when people manipulated mechanical odometers with a tool. However, traditional automobiles have given way to digital ones, and screwdrivers have given way to software and gadgets designed to alter data to your benefit. Moreover, sometimes it is much faster and easier to manipulate electronic instrument clusters rather than mechanical ones. This makes the whole process simpler for those who want to artificially change the original mileage. Hence, you have to know how to check actual miles on a car and check the history of the vehicle to detect an odo discrepancy. 

Why do people roll back odometers?

Cars, as you are aware, deteriorate rapidly. The smaller the mileage the vehicle has, the more appealing it is to consumers. This conveys the idea that such autos are well-maintained. However, changing the amount does not affect the fact that the parts and elements are worn out. As a result, this is a deceptive, risky, and illegal practice.

Regardless, many individuals use it to their benefit. Therefore, many people alter mileage to increase the resale value. According to a recent 2024 report by CARFAX, there are over 2.1 million vehicles on U.S. roads suspected of having had their odometers rolled back—a sharp 14% increase since 2021. For the average buyer, this type of fraud can result in losing nearly $4,000 on a single car without even realizing it. They hope that auto leasing companies cannot determine the actual mileage of a car.

Another explanation is still misleading. Some individuals attempt to avoid leasing businesses’ fees for penalties. They place price marks according to the original mileage displayed on the odometer. Rents with high mileage are expensive, which is precisely why rolling back the kilometers is an effective option for numerous people to avoid penalties. The same is true for insurance firms that provide rates according to distance. Yet it is risky since if they detect how to check if mileage is genuine through Carfax, history check, or the official report, the consequences could be far worse than spending more for the business.

When changing mileage is necessary?

Mileage adjustment always occurs for deceptive purposes. In certain instances, it serves a useful purpose and seems an absolute requirement. For example, the most common case is when a wrong dashboard displays an incorrect number. The following are some possible explanations for changing the miles: 

• The battery had become drained – this means that the displayed information is not correct and needs correction. Otherwise, you will end up showing misleading information all the time.
• An emergency restart is a common scenario when, due to unexpected circumstances, you are required to reset the mileage in your vehicle. To notice the difference, you should know how to check the actual miles on a car and change it back to the original showing.
• Following an incident, it is more likely that the system will begin to display incorrect data. Pay attention to the mileage data, and if you notice anything unusual or suspicious, seek professional help. 
• If the panel is broken, you should expect the odometer to malfunction. This will result in multiple error messages and incorrect miles on your control panel. 
• A breakdown in the electrical network will cause systemic damage to the electrical grid. As modern vehicles are guided primarily by electrical systems, this will also cause some inconveniences.
• Motor substitution is one of the most common reasons for odometer failure. You may find someone who can tell you how to check the actual mileage of a car and reset the mileage.

In such situations, updating is allowed. Legitimate actions are supposed to be always recorded. So, always pay attention to the normal functioning of your vehicle and use a reset tool ethically. 

How to check if mileage is genuine?

It is not easy to figure out how to check if mileage is genuine on a car. Especially if you have never had any previous experience with ODO discrepancies and MOT check-ups. You may assume that the odometer is not displaying relevant data, which is not the cause of your issue. If you choose to modify the tire size to enhance its appearance, be aware that the meter may display misleading data. Furthermore, worn-out tires reduce the total distance traveled. As a result, preventing tire wear will benefit your vehicle in several ways. We have several tips that will greatly assist you in the process of detecting real mileage.

Here’s a quick real-life example of why checking mileage matters. Imagine a young girl called Sarah. She thought she was getting a great deal on a used sedan with just 50,000 miles on the odometer. However, a few months down the road, unexpected repairs began to pile up. When she finally ran a vehicle history check, she discovered the true mileage was actually over 95,000 — almost double what the odometer showed. Unfortunately, Sarah ended up spending thousands fixing wear and tear that had been hidden by a rolled-back odometer.

Ask for the service history

One of the fastest ways how to check actual mileage of a car is to request all service history. Automobile sellers always retain documents for MOT testing and other needed repairs if they carefully adhere to the upkeep plan while taking excellent care of the vehicle. Examine labels closely to see if they contain any mileage-related details. Ensure that it rises sensibly over time. You can also view the electronic MOT document. This will inform you of several facts: whether it succeeded or not, the testing date, what components failed each time, and when its next check-up time is.

VIN Check

Don’t neglect to obtain a report from one of the reliable online sources. It is available for free from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). When it comes to selecting checkers online, you have a lot of options. We recommend using a trustworthy platform to ensure the best results.

Do a test drive

How to check if mileage is genuine? Take the prospective vehicle for a demonstration spin before making any decisions. It is not always essential to be a car specialist to reach reasonable findings. Soon after the drive, you will have a general idea of the real condition of the auto and will figure out if there are any issues with it. This is one of the most effective ways to detect discrepancies.

How to check actual miles on a car and are they so important?

It has become a common practice to roll back, reset, or delete mileage from the digital odometers. This is why everyone wants to know how to check actual mileage of a car. Correct mileage can be really important and contains a lot of valuable information. Despite all of these, we sometimes pay too much attention only to the miles and ignore more important aspects. 

Exact mileage is beneficial to control maintenance expenses and overall wear and tear. It also helps you to plan your oil changes or other service repairs. As you can see, it is quite useful, but the mileage is not the only crucial component. To ensure that you make the best decision, you need to determine where and under what conditions the car was used. Bad terrain and the constant load of vehicles can have a more negative effect than a simple mileage displayed on the dashboard. Of course, it is essential to know how to check if mileage is genuine, but remember that there are other important details as well. 

What is the best device to change the mileage?

The mileage blocker from Super Kilometer Filter is perfect for stopping all control devices from raising extra miles. Do you wonder what makes it so special compared to other widely available devices? The mileage blocker is untraceable, and no device or check-up can detect its trace. This is possible because this smart tool does not allow the system to save any mileage-related data to its storage units. 

Many people ask how to verify the actual mileage on a car to ensure they can find accurate solutions using a scanner tool. They try to change the odometer and roll back already recorded data; however, they are easily identifiable. The mileage blocker is unique in other ways as well. It has an easy DIY installation guide that will allow you to set up the whole device without assistance. Plus, the German team of SKF has developed a mobile application. You can choose and switch different modules directly from your smartphone. And that’s not all; the mileage blocker is made of heat-resistant, premium-quality materials that guarantee its flawless performance under any weather condition. Fortunately, it is available online, and you can purchase the mileage blocker directly from the official website. 

How to check actual mileage of a car is important knowledge to identify odometer discrepancies or unethical reset of the instrument cluster in a vehicle. However, there are emergency cases, such as testing, when it is necessary to stop the mileage recording process. Car manufacturers and service providers should use a proper device to accurately test your vehicle and not add any extra miles to it. This is why the mileage blocker was developed; therefore, it should not be used for unethical purposes. It is not only unethical but can also cause legal disputes. 

Takeaway

How to check if mileage is genuine is important and there are several ways to do it. Examining history records, MOT checks, requesting an official report, and doing a test drive are the most common ways to check the original miles of a vehicle. Always remember that mileage is important, but there are other, equally important aspects to consider. The mileage blocker is the most effective device for stopping the mileage recording process and is completely untraceable. Please note that this device is intended solely for testing and tuning purposes. For further information, please contact the customer center or visit our support page.