Used Car Mileage Tinkering
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8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2005
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Used Car Mileage Tinkering
I have been watching and learning on these message boards for my first 997 purchase. 3 weeks ago a co workers friend had to return her Cayenne back at end of lease. She was over on the mileage by 15K miles.
She was able to apparently get the miles rolled back somehow for under $500.
She got away with it and it pisses me off and scares me when looking at these cars.
I had though with all the electronics there would be traces left that would be raising a flag but I guess not.
Its too bad but I will want all service records to help ensure mileage is somewhat accurate.
I'm assuming speedometer on Cayenne and 997 probably same technology.
She was able to apparently get the miles rolled back somehow for under $500.
She got away with it and it pisses me off and scares me when looking at these cars.
I had though with all the electronics there would be traces left that would be raising a flag but I guess not.
Its too bad but I will want all service records to help ensure mileage is somewhat accurate.
I'm assuming speedometer on Cayenne and 997 probably same technology.
Poseur
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
The DMS readout would be another clue about the total mileage. (Unless it were altered as well). The way to figure miles is to figure an average of 35-38 mph and look at the engine hours. Do the math to arrive at the total mileage.
As you no doubt know, having any involvement in rolling back mileage on a car is a felony.
As you no doubt know, having any involvement in rolling back mileage on a car is a felony.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 411
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From: Toronto
I have heard of it hear in Canada, mostly in around Montreal, but sure it happens elsewhere. Much easier to catch these days since mileage is recorded at some many intervals (dealer service, annual license registration, etc.). If it was a meaningful rollback then it can often be spotted in a carfax report (i.e. higher mileage reported in the past).
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: The Great Midwest
Back in the old days ('50's, '60, '70's) there was no need to even
look at the odometer in a car.
Just figure the age of the car, multiply it by, say 10k-12k miles, and
you would be very close to what the odometer reads.
look at the odometer in a car.
Just figure the age of the car, multiply it by, say 10k-12k miles, and
you would be very close to what the odometer reads.
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Michael S. Palmer
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Ever wonder why there are so many low mialage 993s for sale?
Very easy to replace the speedometer/odometer on those cars with a low miles unit from a wrecked car.
Very easy for a dealer to do, particulary when the car is retitled in a differetn state that does not track odomter miles from other states.
Very easy to replace the speedometer/odometer on those cars with a low miles unit from a wrecked car.
Very easy for a dealer to do, particulary when the car is retitled in a differetn state that does not track odomter miles from other states.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Northern Nevada
FALSE! We do not yet live in a totalitarian state where you are required by law to turn in your neighbors.
Three Wheelin'
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From: Maryland
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This surprises me. I really thought in the new age of electronics this was difficult, if not impossible, to do. Your best bet is to buy a car with ALL documents and service history. While no guarantee it would at least flag a mileage discrepancy.
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From: Everywhere
Rennlist Member
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From: MA
I have been watching and learning on these message boards for my first 997 purchase. 3 weeks ago a co workers friend had to return her Cayenne back at end of lease. She was over on the mileage by 15K miles.
She was able to apparently get the miles rolled back somehow for under $500.
She was able to apparently get the miles rolled back somehow for under $500.
I would like to hope that complete DME scan results cannot be altered, but if they do rewrite entire ECU - who knows. it is a known business. very little can be done about it.
I prefer to buy cars from people, not from after lease auctions. this way you know what you buy as you have a chance to know personality of an owner.
Poseur
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
This is where good service documentation is highly beneficial to a prospective buyer. Even if this friend of yours is rolling back the odometer setting there is no doubt some record of the true mileage of the car within the service organization in which the Cayenne was serviced. I keep handwritten notes on service dates, mileage, etc. which further document events. The noticeable absence of such things is a red flag to me.