Is resetting the odometer illegal?

Odometer Fraud Defined Odometer fraud is prohibited under both federal and state laws. While each state has its own individual statute, federal law prohibits disconnecting, resetting, or altering of a vehicle’s odometer with intent to change the number of miles indicated.

What should I do if I suspect my odometer tampering?

— If you suspect fraud, contact your State’s enforcement agency or NHTSA, which established a special hotline to handle odometer fraud complaints. Consumers can call (800) 424-9393 or 888-327-4236, or file a complaint online.

What happens if there is an odometer discrepancy?

Odometer interference can result in very severe penalties, and an offending motor dealer or repairer may also be liable to pay the losses of a purchaser through civil action.

Can you reset your car mileage?

Of course, “resetting” an odometer is generally illegal in the United States. 49 USC 32703(2) says a person may not “disconnect, reset, alter, or have disconnected, reset, or altered, an odometer of a motor vehicle intending to change the mileage registered by the odometer.”

Can you sell a car if the odometer doesn’t work?

You may drive a car with a broken odometer in most states. If you sell the car, you must inform the buyer that the odometer does not work. Car dealers are subject to strict laws to prevent odometer tampering.

What are the Federal odometer laws and regulations?

Federal Odometer Laws and Regulations 49 U.S.C. §§ 32701-32711 (Formerly 15 U.S.C. §§ 1981-1991), 49 C.F.R., Sections 580.1-580.6 – Odometer Requirements Violations – Resetting or altering odometer with intent to change mileage. Making false odometer disclosure statement. Failure to provide buyer complete odometer disclosure statement.

Is it illegal to not have an odometer on a car?

Federal Odometer Laws and State Laws Motor Vehicle Cost Information Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 32704 (It shall be unlawful for a person) “with intent to defraud, operate a motor vehicle on a street, road, or highway if the person knows that the odometer of the vehicle is disconnected or not operating; or

What do you need to know about odometer fraud?

Odometer Fraud & the Law. When a vehicle is sold or a title is transferred, the law requires written documentation of the total mileage as recorded on the odometer. If the odometer mileage is known to be incorrect for any reason, the seller is required to provide a written statement of this knowledge on the title to the buyer.

Is there a way to roll back the odometer?

Resetting the odometer in any way. Altering the numbers. Replacing the odometer from a vehicle without providing required notice. Unethical private sellers or retailers can roll back a mechanical or digital odometer by utilizing fairly simple methods.

What’s the difference between odometer rollback and fraud?

Odometer fraud, commonly known as odometer rollback, occurs when a vehicle’s odometer is changed or altered to make it appear to have a lower than the actual total mileage. Here in the United States, committing odometer fraud is a federal offense.

Is it illegal to change the odometer reading?

Odometer fraud, also referred to as odometer rollback, is the illegal act of changing or altering the mileage readings on a vehicle to make it appear to have a lower total mileage.

When was the odometer tampering statute recodified?

Effective July 5, 1994, the odometer tampering statutes were recodified from Title 15, U.S.C., to Title 49. The change was not substantive, though the statutes were reworded.

When is it unlawful to operate a vehicle without an odometer?

(It shall be unlawful for a person) “with intent to defraud, operate a motor vehicle on a street, road, or highway if the person knows that the odometer of the vehicle is disconnected or not operating; or