Can the odometer on a 2002 ford f150 be changed?

Answer 1

It's illegal to change odometer in most (if not all) states.

ODOMETER TAMPERING

One important indicator of a vehicle's value and reliability is the mileage. Consumers rely on an accurate odometer reading to provide an exact count of the vehicle's mileage. Precisely because mileage is so important in determining a car's value, those selling vehicles may be tempted to turn back a vehicle's odometer.

To protect consumers, the federal government passed a law called the Federal Odometer Act. Anyone purchasing a vehicle in the United State is protected by this Act. Under the Act, it is unlawful to tamper with an odometer in order to change the mileage registered. Tampering can take a number of different forms, all of them illegal. For example, it is a violation of the Act to drive a vehicle with a disconnected odometer (which therefore would not register the miles), or to install or sell a device that make the odometer record mileage inaccurately. It is also a violation to manually reduce the number of miles on the odometer.

If you discover a violation of the Act within two years of your purchase, you can bring a suit against the individual or dealership that sold you the vehicle. The law requires you to prove the seller's intent to deceive. That means you must show that the odometer was changed in order to make it seem like the vehicle had less mileage on it, as opposed to being altered by accident. In most cases of odometer tampering, this may be difficult to prove. The harder part is discovering that your odometer has been tampered with in the first place.

If you are successful in your suit against the seller, you are entitled to the greater of either $1,500 or three times the amount of actual damages. Actual damages would be the difference between the price you paid for the vehicle and what is was really worth at its true mileage. The seller can also be ordered to pay your attorney's fees and costs if you win.

In addition, to violations of federal law, odometer tampering can also be the subject of legal action under state statutes and administrative codes and under Wisconsin fraud and misrepresentation statutes. If you suspect your vehicle's odometer was turned back or tampered with please contact an attorney at 414-476-5700 or by submitting a Case Review Form.

How to spot a car with a turned-back odometer.

â–ª Make sure mileage and wear make sense.

â–ª Take a long, careful look at the vehicle. Does the condition match the miles on the odometer? Is there excessive wear in the interior, especially in the driver's area? Look for maintenance stickers, warranties or other paperwork that might indicate a higher mileage.

â–ª Are the miles low, but the tires new or mismatched? The date that the tire was manufactured can be determined by coded numbers on the tire.

â–ª Have parts been replaced that normally would not have been replaced on a low mileage vehicle? Pay attention to parts such as batteries, hoses and clamps, and fan or air conditioning belts.

â–ª Make sure the current mileage on the odometer statement is greater than the mileage on the title.

â–ª Do an odometer check at www.carfax.com for free.

If you suspect the vehicle's odometer was turned back, please contact Attorney Craig Vance at 262-347-2005 or use the Case Review Form.