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Does driving a car backward reverse mileage?
I’ve seen several movies where the characters drive a car backward to reverse the odometer. I was thinking about taking a few miles off my car before I sell it, so I thought this might be a great idea. Can driving a car backward actually reverse the mileage?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Although you may have seen this tactic in Matilda or Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, driving a car backward does not reverse mileage. In fact, driving your car in reverse actually causes the odometer to increase, which is the opposite effect you’re looking for.
Moreover, rolling back your odometer is illegal under U.S. law. If you’re caught rolling back the odometer on your vehicle, you can face fines of up to $10,000. When you look at how much this might cost you, taking the risk isn’t worth it.
Instead of worrying about mileage, take some other steps to improve the value of your car, such as:
- Detailing and cleaning it
- Taking care of any cosmetic issues
- Gathering all of your maintenance bills
- Fixing any mechanical issues the car may have
Though you may not be able to get extra money when you
sell your car
, you can find extra savings on your car insurance with the Jerry
app.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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