Most car enthusiasts prefer to buy cars from secondary market... So you can save a lot and buy a decent car for little money. But this is not always possible. In an attempt to inflate the price, unscrupulous sellers deliberately twist the mileage of the car. You need to know how to identify it visually and using technique. In this article we will look at how to check the mileage of a car (twisted or not) and what nuances should be paid attention to.
What should you be afraid of?
Odometer readings are corrected on absolutely all vehicles.
Even 2-3-year-old cars are subject to readings correction. This is done, as a rule, by greedy sellers who want to hide all the shortcomings of the car, trying to "sell" it at an inflated price. Inexperienced drivers often come across this.
How to check if the mileage of a car is twisted? Anyone can do it, you just need to carefully inspect the car. What should you fear when buying a car with twisted mileage? Buying a car with a low mileage, you run the risk of taking real junk, which will require a lot of money from you for maintenance. So, the odometer is often corrected when the mileage is from 90 to 110 thousand. And this is due to the fact that in a given period of time the car is undergoing the largest scheduled maintenance. In order not to spend money on repairs, unscrupulous sellers wind up the odometer numbers and put the vehicle up for sale, convincing the buyer that the car has already passed all the necessary maintenance.
Determine if the mileage is twisted: how much is it cheated?
The mileage is often reduced by a quarter. Thus, the car, which, according to the seller, has covered 200 thousand kilometers, has a real mileage of 240 thousand. But there are other values, because when adjusting, you can set any number, at least 6 units.
It all depends on the conscience of the seller. Although, in fact, this action is fraudulent and punishable, every second car on the secondary market has a twisted "counter". In no case should you believe the numbers and the words of the seller. A well-known proverb says: "Trust but verify."
Electronic odometer
There is a popular belief that it is impossible to twist such a counter. In fact, the adjustment is possible both on classic mechanical odometers and on modern electronic ones. Of course the most the best option is to go to the diagnostics to official dealer... But what if the buyer doesn't have this option? How to check if the mileage of a car is twisted?
Computer diagnostics
This is perhaps the most faithful and quick way verifying the authenticity of the odometer reading. This requires a laptop and OBD-2 cable. By connecting to you can see the real mileage of the car. Be careful! Some sellers make corrections with data reset in the electronic unit.
How to check the mileage of a car (twisted or not)? To make sure of the authenticity of the mileage traveled by the car, we look at individual units. The mileage is recorded not only in the engine and gearbox, but also in small systems (for example, the light control unit). And they are most often protected from being overwritten. Here we can catch the seller "on the hook", indicating to him the correct mileage. But there are other ways to find out real mileage car. Let's take a look at them further.
How do you know if the run is twisted? Dashboard
Note how the front torpedo and itself were assembled. instrument cluster... If he had traces of disassembly (and these are scratches and places pushed with a screwdriver), then there is a reason to think. By the way, the instrument panel itself with back side covered with a thin layer of varnish. If the mileage is curled, it will be visible immediately. But for this you have to completely remove the shield out.
If this is a classic drum-type odometer, pay attention to the gaps between the numbers. They should not be crooked or at different distances from each other. Otherwise, there is every reason to confirm the mileage adjustment.
Interior details
We continue to tell you how to check the mileage of a car (twisted or not). An important detail during inspection is the steering wheel. By its condition, you can determine how much the odometer readings correspond to reality. car? The steering wheel begins to wear out at 250 or more thousand kilometers. Moreover, early wear cannot be attributed to poor quality assembly.
A car with such a steering wheel as in the photo definitely cannot have a mileage below 100-150 thousand kilometers. Also note that sellers alter steering wheel, and cheap materials are often used for this. If it has a non-factory line, then the element has been restored.
The seats should not be overlooked either.
It will be difficult to alter them. Yes, you can do it, but it won't pay off when you sell it. Some people install disassembled seats taken from cars that have less mileage. In this case, pay attention to the adjacent seats and the back row.
If the wear on them is more than on the driver's, then the seat has changed. Some sellers, to hide wear, cling to "T-shirts" or covers. Don't be afraid to look under them. Perhaps the owner was trying to hide the signs of wear in this way.
Another factor is door trim. Few of the sellers are engaged in this trifle. Often their deception ends with adjusting the odometer readings and resetting basic data from the ECU. Nobody "bothers" about the state of the door trim and handles. Pay attention to these details when buying.
Also inspect the condition of the lever and handle cover parking brake... Noticeable signs of wear appear on them not earlier than after 200 thousand kilometers.
Pedals
Another trifle that sellers forget about is the state of the pedals. Often the original linings are not available, so cars are sold with worn out. They also wear out with a significant mileage. On a hundred thousand they should not be "bald."
Don't be fooled by the pretty wrapper
To make the car appear as attractive as possible, its body is tinted. However, do not rush to determine the honesty of the run by quality. paintwork... If a body repair was produced with high quality, even an experienced motorist cannot determine this. The only thing that can be done is to check the thickness of the paintwork using a thickness gauge. It also determines how much putty was applied to the body (if the car was after an accident). The mechanism "punches" the distance from the upper part of the paintwork to the metal.
However, it makes no sense to look at the quality of painting by checking the twisted mileage. After all, an accident can happen at any distance. It all depends on how well the repair was made. Well, if you buy a car with the age of 20+, check out the hidden places - thresholds and technological plugs on the bottom. Corrosion does not depend on mileage, but rust is a significant reason to reduce the price.
If the car is up to 3-5 years old
How is the car twisted or not, on relatively "fresh" cars? Ask the seller service book... Here it should be noted on which run the maintenance was performed and what work was performed. If there is such a book, this is a big plus. Such a seller has no intention of defrauding the buyer.
So, we found out, Hopefully, the information provided will help you avoid being deceived.
It was not bad in the old days before people the question "How to find out if the run is twisted" did not arise when the question of buying a particular vehicle was raised before the buyer. Woke up early in the morning to go to the fair, walked through the rows, looked in the mouth and began to bid for the stallion he liked. And after the long-awaited purchase and home is not ashamed to come back. If anyone does not understand why to look in the teeth, then I will explain: teeth have always been a reliable indicator of age. No matter how good the horse looked from its external data, it was the teeth that always betrayed its age.
What are we seeing today?
Upon arrival at the nearest car dealership that sells used cars, you can see a unique beauty: all cars, as if on selection, are clean, mirrored and ready to meet their new owner. And where, and most importantly, to whom to look in the teeth? Unfortunately, not everything is so simple in our life. Otherwise, I could rely with a great degree of confidence on the readings of the speedometer, which, indeed, shows how much our horse has driven, and not think how to check if the run is twisted. But, in our time, they have learned to forge horse teeth, let alone iron horses. Want to check it out? Hurry up to place an advertisement for the sale of your car, as soon as you will receive calls with offers for a certain cost to twist the mileage of your car. How do you like that?
So, it's time to move on to the main topic of our conversation. The so-called corrective actions regarding the mileage of a car are taken by special intervention using a specialized tool or existing equipment in the vehicle's components. This is done in order to change the readings in the direction you need. on-board computer or boards with devices.
Not so long ago, when speedometers were mechanical and, accordingly, correction methods. In the process of the whole case, the speedometer unit itself was sorted out and manually setting the required numbers or acted with the help of an electric drill. The cartridge of an electric drill was carefully put on the cable of the device, after which the required mileage was screwed up. Today, most of the automotive components have become electronic, that is, the mileage is adjusted electronically. It happens like this: specialized equipment is connected to the diagnostic connector of the car and new numbers are flashed. Some five minutes of work and your car can with extraordinary ease for its owner transform from a pensioner with considerable experience into a middle-aged man who travels only on weekends. How to be and what needs to be done in order not to become deceived?
We propose to direct all our attention to those obvious signs by which you can easily guess about false mileage readings.
- Different data in the readings between the speedometer and others electronic units auto.
It's no secret that today's car manufacturers are using electronic ways record the mileage of a car simultaneously in several different electronic units. Not bad, isn't it? In many cases, the speedometer itself can be corrected, when in such units as ABS or automatic transmission the attacker's hand does not reach. Often, careless craftsmen simply forget to flash the ignition key, in which all representatives modern cars mileage data is also available. With inept intervention in electronic system car, there may be traces indicating an outside interference, helping to answer the main question of how to determine the twisted mileage ...
One of the negative aspects of this method is the presence of a highly specialized tool, which can be located in places involved in maintenance.
- Different data in the readings between the speedometer and the saved service history of the car, plus the readings of official dealers.
And immediately we will give an example from life in practice, showing one of the ways how to check whether the mileage is twisted or not.
Potential buyer examines a car, the speedometer of which is just over 50,000 km. After opening the hood, the buyer saw a tag indicating the last oil change. Upon careful reading, it was possible to understand that the oil change was carried out at 120,000 km. When discussing that the mileage data clearly does not match, the latter begins to “blush” and openly admit to deliberately twisting the mileage. Of course, such a life example is too simple and very clear to everyone. Additional inconsistencies will help you find the entries in the service book.
To this end, you should simply flip through the appropriate purchase order form, provided that they have survived. A good and at the same time valid option would be to request such information from an authorized dealer.
Any material, including leather products, can indicate the duration of the operational period. Look also at the back of the seat. For example, minor gaps may appear no earlier than the mileage data shows 200,000 km.
You can often see how covers are pulled on its seats when selling a car, possibly hiding something important to you. For complete information you can pay attention to the adjacent seats in the car. In the event that the chair is overtightened with new leather, you should directly ask the seller a question. The seat belt itself can be salted, and also have small tears.
- We study the features and external data of the steering section, gearshift unit and armrest from the driver's side.
The steering wheel, as many drivers know, is made of materials that are subject to time and mechanical stress... Of course, expensive cars the steering wheel is covered with leather. Special attention should be paid to the lower part of the steering wheel, which so often experiences friction against the driver's own feet. Many sellers wish to hide the current state of the steering wheel under a decorative braid.
In addition, the steering wheel is often simply subject to replacement, with the goal of masking all existing defects and flaws in the car being sold.
- What can pedals hide?
One foot of the driver almost constantly occupies the right pedal even when it is mirrored in its own reflection, and the seller argues for the extremely rare use of this vehicle - this is a sure way to think about the fidelity and correctness of the latter's words. In addition, existing carpets tend to form holes. Think carefully and assimilate this information, pedals will help you find out if the mileage is twisted on the car.
- Information about brake discs
Wear resistance index car drives depends on many reasons. One of these reasons is, oddly enough, the driving style, the quality of the drive, and so on. There are average indicators of the operational period of the disks: from 50,000 to 80,000 km. These data can be easily correlated with vehicle mileage.
- Condition of tires of the car on sale
It turns out that at average operating rates, the tread pattern is subject to wear for 50,000 km. Here you should also take into account the wear resistance indicators of products of different lineup from different manufacturers... Analyze this information and relate to what is in front of you. The conclusion will not be long in coming.
- Timing belt
The required replacement regarding the timing belts should be carried out with a mileage of 60,000 to 100,000 km. The condition of the belt is easy enough to check, you just have to look under the hood. Then we analyze everything together and compare it with the words of the seller. The service history can store information about its premature replacement. It is important to know that on some car models this belt is hidden by the design of the protective casing. In this case, inspect the belt additional equipment, which has the same operating time for replacement.
- Chips, as especially visible defects in various parts of the car
No matter how carefully the craftsmen tried to hide the real mileage of the car, but the presence mechanical damage - an iron argument. For example, the surface of the hood has numerous chips, and the owner, for some unknown reason, decided to repaint it, or the windshield was replaced. The glass of the headlights has become significantly dull from the impact of small stones, etc. with such external characteristics the buyer will never believe in the low mileage of the car sold.
- The presence of backlash on the side of the driver's door
How to determine if the run on the doors of a car is twisted? First, open the door from the driver's seat. Then, with slow movements, try to shake it. It turns out that with the passage of time, door hinges tend to wear out, resulting in the so-called free movement backlash. On a new car, such problems simply cannot be. Additionally, it is possible to check the doors from the passenger side. A striking example of the fact that the driver "taxed" is the presence of backlash on the part of passengers and its absence at the driver's door.
- Noticeable traces of numerous openings and dismantling works in relation to dashboard
Some of you will call this indicator clearly outdated. However, we cannot but name it. With a speedometer of a mechanical type, the dashboard is opened with subsequent corrective actions. Today, almost no one uses this method, or quite rarely.
In conclusion, I would like to summarize that all the above methods that help to make sure or, on the contrary, to doubt the authenticity of the mileage indicators, are somewhat indirect. You should resort to using them to fully clarify the whole picture, but not separately. For example, if a man of full physique appears in front of you in the role of a seller, then the fact of high wear on the driver's seat will speak of a person's body weight, but in no way about an artificially twisted car mileage. Be vigilant and careful when purchasing a car.
One of the main factors that you need to pay special attention to when purchasing a non-new vehicle is the distance traveled by the car. But you shouldn't blindly believe the odometer readings. Not entirely conscientious car owners, trying to sell their “ iron horse", Deliberately underestimate real performance odometer fraudulently. However, the determination of the fact of twisting, the procedure is difficult and sometimes impossible. When evaluating the real mileage of the car, it is advisable to start from indirect signs.
Naturally, if the odometer readings are interfered with, then this can be determined. Anyone who wants to buy a used car should know how to find out that the mileage was twisting. To this end, you need to build on a number of both direct and indirect evidence. By direct factors, you can accurately determine that the odometer data has been changed. In its turn, indirectly you can find various inconsistencies between technical parameters vehicle and actual mileage readings.
In most cases, the mileage readings are changed in order to inflate the real cost of the car. Therefore, the buyer is at great risk of purchasing vehicle technical condition, the main components and assemblies of which are badly worn out.
In some countries, the rolling is carried out in order to reduce government taxes on the sale of a car. This is because amount of tax directly depends on the mileage covered by the car in a certain time period.
There were also recorded cases of an increase in the real mileage of the car. The purpose of this fraud is to convince the buyer that he will not have to carry out expensive scheduled maintenance when the vehicle reaches 90-100 thousand kilometers. The buyer purchases the machine assured that all worn parts have been replaced and the machine is in perfect condition. In reality, permanent repairs await the new car owner.
What car makes odometers are rolled more often?
Most often, twisted mileage can be found in cars of domestic and Japanese production, as well as some models of cars produced in Europe. Cars, made in Germany, are better protected from external interference. They duplicate any changes by different special devices... The most resistant to fraudsters are considered cars bMW brands , in which duplication of mileage readings is performed by a chip in the ignition keys.
Mileage of many cars japanese stamps can be found in the accompanying documents. If you purchase a car at an auction, an auction sheet is attached to it, which contains the exact information on the odometer readings. If we consider European and domestic cars, then whether the mileage was curled in them or not can be found out only by indirect signs and there are no other ways.
How to determine the twist of a mechanical odometer?
Any vehicle has the ability to change the real mileage readings. If the vehicle is equipped with a mechanical odometer, the mileage change is performed two simple methods.
If the buyer has doubts that the mileage of the mechanical odometer was manually twisted, then an external inspection of the device should be carried out. The numbers on the counter while the machine is moving should have smooth rotation without jumps. Also, by carefully examining the dial, you can see a dark space that separates adjacent values. If it is found that it has changed its color, it can be argued that someone tampered with the odometer.
In case of mileage changes using an electric drill it is almost impossible to detect interference with the device. In such a situation, you need to proceed from the external state component parts vehicle, which must visually correspond to the readings of the distance traveled by the vehicle.
How to find out the tampering with the electronic odometer?
In devices for recording the distance traveled by a car electronic type all information is stored in memory. Therefore, in order to change the real data of the device, special computer equipment is used. In some cases, they even use the replacement of microcircuits and individual electronic boards.
To find out the correspondence of the odometer readings, it is best to contact a professional car service, where they will carry out the appropriate diagnostic measures. Although, if you wish, you can try to find out if the vehicle mileage is twisted on your own.
If carried out soldering the microcircuit, then it was preceded by the disassembly of the dashboard. Therefore, you can inspect all attachment points for defects or scratches that could have been caused during disassembly. Also, having reached the odometer board, you can see that it was heated with a soldering iron, since the layer of factory varnish will be broken. Plus indications electronic device additionally recorded by the onboard computer system.
Today experienced car owners use several ways of indirect determination twisting mileage:
- visual inspection of interior parts;
- scrupulous study of technical documentation for the car;
- measuring the height of the rubber tread;
- checking the condition and quality of the main systems of the vehicle.
When examining a car interior, you need to pay attention to the condition of the seats, steering wheel, car mats and rubber pads on the gas pedals. If you find severe wear on any of the components of the car's interior, we can say with confidence that it has a solid mileage.
You can find out about changes in odometer data from the seller's stories about the passage of scheduled maintenance, which should be marked in the service documentation for the car. If any discrepancies are found, it is safe to say that they are trying to cheat the buyer. In such a situation, you can contact representatives of the service center where the machine was serviced and VIN code find out the real mileage.
You can ask the seller when the tires were last replaced. If there are native slopes on the car, then you can find out the real mileage by tread height. If the car has driven no more than 30-50 thousand km, then the tread depth will be within the permissible limits set by the manufacturer.
There is another factor indicating odometer tampering - heavy wear brake discs... Although such consequences can be observed if the motorist prefers an aggressive driving style. Also in case high mileage on windshield you can find many small chips and marks of scuffs from wipers.
Component state car body does not always help to determine how many kilometers a car has traveled. If the car owner treated his car with care, then even after 200 thousand km of run appearance the vehicle is practically unchanged. Therefore, only the specialists of the service center will be able to give an exact answer whether the mileage was twisted or not.
But even after getting acquainted with how to determine the real odometer readings when buying a non-new vehicle, the main attention should be paid to it technical condition... It does not in all cases depend on the age of the car. After all, motorists who really worry about their car, keeping it in good working order, have not died out. Even after 300 thousand km of run, such a car will look no worse than a vehicle that has recently left the car dealership.
Over time, the car's speedometer begins to incorrectly show the true speed, at the same time the distance meter is lying. The same picture will be observed for any car, if it is equipped with "non-native" wheels, namely - with a higher or lower profile.
The latter occurs due to the fact that the rolling radius of the wheel changes. At the same time, the correct readings of the speedometer and the distance traveled counter are very important for the motorist, as they allow optimal planning and avoid misunderstandings with the traffic police on the issue of speeding. So checking your speedometer is not very harmful.
Precisely this work can be done without removing the speedometer from the car, without the help of any special additional devices and devices. To do this, place reliable stops under the non-driving wheels of the car, and the driving wheels must be hung out. Next, start the engine and set the speed to 40 km / h on the speedometer. Then, use the second hand of the watch to measure the time between any two trip meter readings.
The real speed (V) of the vehicle will be equal to: V \u003d (S2 - S1) / t (km / h), where S1 and S2 are the counter readings at the beginning and at the end of the measurement (km); t - time between readings S1 and S2 of the counter (h). Repeat the same test at 80 km / h. Comparing the speed calculated and set by the speedometer, you can determine the error in the speedometer.
Checking the correct operation of the distance meter and speedometer can be made even easier if you are going to long trip on a good dry road. Notice on the highway any kilometer post and the readings of the trip meter on the car. Drive over the kilometer posts for exactly 100 km. and note the meter reading on the vehicle. The difference in the readings is the error of the counter and, indirectly, of the speedometer.
For example, if at the same time you drove 110 km on the counter, then it is clear how much he is wrong. The speedometer is also lying - the speed indicator. If you are driving at a speed of 100 km / h on the speedometer, then in reality (for a traffic police inspector) your speed is 110 km / h. It is useless to look for the truth later. It was on this that the author of these lines once burned himself when, after installing the high-profile Muscovite rubber M-145 on the VAZ-2102 car, he did not take into account the inevitable distortion of the speedometer readings in this case.
Source this information is unknown to me. If you know the author of the article or you yourself are - please contact me through the "Contacts" page.
A few more articles from the ""
The article describes a simple generator on the 555th timer, with which you can check the performance and correctness of the readings electronic speedometersusing an electronic Hall sensor as a speed sensor.
In many modern cars, such as GAZelle (GAZ 2705, 33021), Volga, KRAZ and others, electronic speedometers with a microammeter and a stepper motor are used. These speedometers work with electronic sensor Hall mounted on the gearbox. When the car is moving, the sensor is driven from the gear of the output shaft of the gearbox. Six pulses are generated in one revolution of the sensor shaft electric current.
These pulses are fed into the speedometer circuit. The speed indicator in the speedometer is a microammeter. In addition, amplified pulses from the transmitter are fed to a stepper motor that rotates the drums for the distance indicators.
According to the technical documentation, which can be found in, in order to check the serviceability of such a speedometer, it is necessary from the G5-54 signal generator to send rectangular pulses of positive polarity with an amplitude of 6 ... 7 V, a duration of 200 ... 250 μs and a frequency of 100 ... 200 Hz.
If the user or the locksmith of the vehicle fleet does not care about the high accuracy of checking the speedometer readings, and it is only necessary to sometimes check their performance, then the design of a simple rectangular pulse generator proposed by the author can easily cope with this task.
Principled electrical circuit generator shown in fig. 1. It is assembled on a 555 universal timer chip. Typical switching circuit. The ratings of the elements C2, R2-R4 are selected in such a way as to obtain a square wave at the output with a frequency of 100 ... 200 Hz. The required pulse frequency of the assembled generator can be adjusted by the trimmer R3. The circuit is designed for use in vehicles with voltage on-board network 12 V. If the voltage of the vehicle's on-board network is 24 V (for example, in KRAZ), then the circuit must be supplemented with an integrated stabilizer DA2, including it in the power circuit break as shown in the diagram by the dotted line.
Construction and details
All elements of the circuit are assembled on a printed circuit board made of one-sided foil-clad fiberglass with dimensions of 30 × 20 mm. A drawing of the printed circuit board and the layout of the elements are shown in Fig. 2. For convenience of repetition, the drawing is shown from the side of the foil. The design uses output radio components installed vertically. There are no special requirements for them. Conductors are soldered to points XT 1-XTZ, at the other end of which a connector is installed, similar to the Hall sensor connector. All circuits necessary for the operation of the generator are brought out to this connector: plus / minus power supply and the speedometer input. The printed circuit board is mounted in a suitable electrically insulated housing. For this purpose, the author used a piece of plastic cable duct with a cross section of 25 × 16 mm.
Assembly, commissioning and use
A properly assembled generator does not need adjustment. Attention should be paid to the correct connection of the connector pins, since if the supply voltage accidentally hits the generator output, it will fail:; 0 operation. There is no need to use radio measuring devices to configure the device. It is enough to have a known good speedometer. The device is connected instead of the Hall sensor and the trimming resistor R3 achieves the desired speedometer reading, for example, 60 km / h. If the control range is not enough, then to increase the cutoff frequency of the generator, the resistance of the resistor R4 should be slightly reduced, and to decrease it, increased.
