Tampering of Odometer

[walterwu]

I, recently, bought a second-hand car from InCarz of Commonwealth Avenue less then 2 months ago.

I sent it recently to the authorised dealer workshop today and found that the car's odometer had been adjusted from 140,000 in Sep-2012 (last service record) to about 60,000+ at point of purchase.

What are my options?

 

[michaelsen]

idk but since you already bought the car, there isnt much you can do without all the hassle. if its working fine then so be it i guess. asian cars should be able to pull off better and higher mileage imo, if its a conti car, really good luck with all the wear and tears.

 

[ralliart_ray]

I, recently, bought a second-hand car from InCarz of Commonwealth Avenue less then 2 months ago.

I sent it recently to the authorised dealer workshop today and found that the car's odometer had been adjusted from 140,000 in Sep-2012 (last service record) to about 60,000+ at point of purchase.

What are my options?

common tricks to tamper. very very dishonest.

1) Go back to InCarz and bang table - Hopefully they can give you some discount/refund. (Maybe 1 x full servicing to change all the wear & tear)

2) LL suck thumb, live with it and blacklist InCarz

 

[walterwu]

common tricks to tamper. very very dishonest.

1) Go back to InCarz and bang table - Hopefully they can give you some discount/refund. (Maybe 1 x full servicing to change all the wear & tear)

2) LL suck thumb, live with it and blacklist InCarz

I not sure whether it was InCarz that was at fault or the seller.

Surprised that InCarz isn't pursuing the matter with the previous seller or have not responded to me on this issue.

 

[AL5509]

I feel you bro.
A sad plus upset news to know that the mileage is more than 2 times of the amount shown.
You do have a case but pursuing maybe a challenge as far as I know there is not 'law' protecting the pre-owned car buyer ba although we have this 'lemon' law which do not know how it is applicable to re-sales vehicle as dealer will surely chui pattern de..

 

[ralliart_ray]

I not sure whether it was InCarz that was at fault or the seller.

Surprised that InCarz isn't pursuing the matter with the previous seller or have not responded to me on this issue.

so you think its the previous owner that tampered

 

[walterwu]

common tricks to tamper. very very dishonest.

1) Go back to InCarz and bang table - Hopefully they can give you some discount/refund. (Maybe 1 x full servicing to change all the wear & tear)

2) LL suck thumb, live with it and blacklist InCarz

so you think its the previous owner that tampered

Don't know yet as InCarz hasn't revert back to me. InCarz should pursue with the previous car owner if it was so. Contractually, I can only pursue InCarz on this matter.

 

[AL5509]

Don't know yet as InCarz hasn't revert back to me. InCarz should pursue with the previous car owner if it was so. Contractually, I can only pursue InCarz on this matter.

Think a lesson learnt, try to purchase any pre-owned car with AD's servicing records whereas possible.
However, as a driver too, many do not go back to AD for servicing once the warrenty period is over.
So really goto buy at your own risk.

Yet I will like to know what more can be done for such dishonest acts either by the dealers(99%) or direct sellers(1%).

 

[Chalkycliffs]

In some occasions, both parties are fudging the mileage.

The previous owner altered it before selling it to the 2nd hand dealer, the dealer altered it again before selling it.

As the TS indicated, original mileage of 140k wind back to 60k, it is possible it has been wound back twice.

 

[jittery]

go bang table ask them to change all belts, water pumps etc for free loh.

 

[walterwu]

In some occasions, both parties are fudging the mileage.

The previous owner altered it before selling it to the 2nd hand dealer, the dealer altered it again before selling it.

As the TS indicated, original mileage of 140k wind back to 60k, it is possible it has been wound back twice.

How to value a car of same make and year with a 140K mileage and 60K mileage? Assuming the car is high end model.

 

[tk]

I not sure whether it was InCarz that was at fault or the seller.

Most cases of odo tampering is done by 2nd hand car dealers.. only very very very very rarely would a private seller tamper..

 

[trd2970]

Think a lesson learnt, try to purchase any pre-owned car with AD's servicing records whereas possible.
However, as a driver too, many do not go back to AD for servicing once the warrenty period is over.
So really goto buy at your own risk.

Yet I will like to know what more can be done for such dishonest acts either by the dealers(99%) or direct sellers(1%).

I second that option... for a car at 140K a lot of wear and tear and maintenance required...

TS should go back to the dealer and if necessary go to CASE.

 

[tennisball]

Pls share the car make and model. Which sales man u got it from? Saw a car there before..and din get a gd impression of them...

 

[AL5509]

I second that option... for a car at 140K a lot of wear and tear and maintenance required...

TS should go back to the dealer and if necessary go to CASE.

Heard lot of stories, buyers went back to dealers after discovered it being tampered.
End up, just a few thousands the most as an act of compensation.
I personally find all these are 8u££ S#¡T!
But sad but true that the law is not really stepping in and press hard on such dishonest act.
That is the reason why it is still happened.
:-(

 

[sinicker]

your best bet is to demand changing all wear and tear parts.

 

[wkgken]

you should be able get recourse by going to CASE as it is considered misrepresentation since you were under the impression that the mileage is 60k when in fact it is 100+k..exercise your right and not let these second hand dealer get away scot free

 

[Cheepoozz]

Most cases of odo tampering is done by 2nd hand car dealers.. only very very very very rarely would a private seller tamper..

I knew of a friend who tamper his car odo so that he could fetch a good price when he sold it to the dealer . Was told it cost less than rm200

 

[walterwu]

I knew of a friend who tamper his car odo so that he could fetch a good price when he sold it to the dealer . Was told it cost less than rm200

OK. Got very strong records that the InCarz advertised the car as having 60,000km in June-2013 and have record that is is 60,000+ before handing over.

Now, have confirmed information that it was 140,000+ in Sep-2012.

Very clear case of mis-representation.

Will try CASE before going to lawyer.

 

[walterwu]

Pls share the car make and model. Which sales man u got it from? Saw a car there before..and din get a gd impression of them...

They have 3-4 lots spaces in the Commonwealth Ave branch. Was impressed with their office setup when doing the negotiation, signing, etc.

I would like to give them the benefits of the doubt that they weren't the ones who did the tampering. I think their namesake and goodwill is worth alot and would not do anything to defame them. Have asked them to investigate and revert back to me. I do not have any legal contract with seller though.

In the event that they are able to trace back to the seller (assuming the seller is the culprit), I would like them to seek to recover cost from the seller and for me to recover the same from them.