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How can you check if the car mileage is genuine?
Is there a way to check if the car mileage is genuine? I just bought a used car and it already stopped working! I have a feeling the last owner messed with the mileage, but I don't know how to check.
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so sorry to hear that! That’s the last thing you want to happen after buying a car.
The easiest way to check if your car mileage is genuine is by looking through your car’s service documentation. Although odometer tampering is illegal, it’s still a fairly common occurrence when buying used cars.
- Check the vehicle history report for the number of owners. While it won’t be completely reliable, a car with many past owners will likely have high mileage.
- Skim service documentation for inconsistencies. Every time your car gets serviced, the provider should have recorded the mileage.
- Count the number of oil changes and compare with the owner’s manual. If your car’s had eight oil changes and the manufacturer recommends you get one every 10,000 miles, then your car should have around 80,000 miles.
- Workshop invoices should also have a note about the odometer.
Your seller should be willing to give you any car-related documentation you need. If they’re unwilling, it may be a red flag.
That said, the best way to make sure your mileage is accurate is to buy from a reliable seller. You may need to pay a little more, but at least you’ll know your car is safe. Plus, you can always offset the price by saving on car insurance with
Jerry
. A licensed broker, the Jerry app helps you gather and compare competitive quotes from top providers for free. Jerry can even send you new quotes when it’s time to renew. That way, you always know you’re getting the best rate! View full answer
- 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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