In Washington state, Reynaldo Garza was convicted of five felony counts of odometer tampering after purchasing high-mileage used cars, replacing their odometers with units displaying far fewer miles, and selling the vehicles under false mileage representations—in some cases misrepresenting mileage by up to 100,000 miles less than the actual figure. The NHTSA Office of Odometer Fraud actively investigates such cases alongside local law enforcement, and the agency encourages anyone with information about odometer tampering to call its Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
When ownership of the vehicle is eventually transferred, the seller must provide an : Odometers Guidelines
The date of an odometer record replacement event holds substantial legal weight. When a vehicle's title is transferred, the seller must complete an odometer disclosure statement. This statement must reflect the odometer reading at the time of transfer and indicate whether the mileage is "actual," "not actual," or "exceeds mechanical limits". If the odometer was repaired or replaced and the current reading is identical to the pre-repair reading, the disclosure should so state. However, if the odometer was reset to zero, the disclosure must instead specify the vehicle's actual mileage before the reading was altered. odometer record replace events date
While federal law sets the baseline, individual states have specific requirements that may be more stringent. Here are examples from various states:
Understanding the "Odometer Record Replace" Event: A Guide to Vehicle History In Washington state, Reynaldo Garza was convicted of
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Utah law requires that if an odometer is repaired or replaced and reset to zero, the disclosure statement must specify the mileage on the vehicle before the reading was altered. A notice in writing, specifying both the date the odometer was repaired or replaced and the mileage before this occurred, must be permanently affixed to the left door frame. When a vehicle's title is transferred, the seller
Accurately documenting the date and mileage at the time of replacement is critical for several reasons: