With Off-Lease Cars, Firm Sees Increase in Odometer Tampering By PAUL STENQUIST OCTOBER 3, 2011
AIM Mobile Inspections, an evaluator of new and used vehicles, said that the incidence of odometer rollback for the purpose of misrepresenting the mileage of off-lease used vehicles had increased by 30 percent since the beginning of this year. By rolling back the odometer reading, sellers of vehicles could make it appear that a car or truck had been driven fewer miles than it actually was driven. AIM's data is based on vehicle inspections it has conducted in the Northeast. The company inspects as many as 9,000 off-lease vehicles each month in the region. The Automobiles section profiled an inspector with the company in 2008. "Today's criminals with computer savvy are clocking (rolling back) digital odometers at an astonishing rate," said Eric Widmer, vice president of sales and operations at AIM, in a media release. To determine if an odometer may have been turned back, AIM evaluates the condition of a number of components, including tires, seats, upholstery, the gas pedal and brake pedal. Abnormal wear and tear for the indicated mileage can suggest tampering. A check of vehicle history and analysis of engine and transmission fluids can provide further evidence. ... http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/with-off-lease-cars-firm-sees-increase-in-odometer-tampering/ _______________________________________________ Please be sure to include a URL to the article. Reply to the sender with a "Thank you" if you like this post. _______________________________________________ Medianews mailing list [email protected] http://lists.etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews
