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Used car buying guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Odometer Fraud: Warning Signs and What to Do
A rolled-back odometer can hide years of wear. Here is how the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describes odometer fraud, the checks it suggests before you buy, what federal law requires and where to report it.
450,000+Vehicles sold each year with false readings (NHTSA)
3.47%Chance in the first 11 years (NHTSA)
20,000Miles or less: should have original tires
TitleWhere the seller must disclose mileage
The short answer
Odometer fraud is altering a vehicle's odometer to change the miles it shows. NHTSA estimates more than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with false readings. Compare the title, service records, tires and pedal wear with the mileage, get a vehicle history report, and report suspected fraud to your state's enforcement agency.
What odometer fraud is
NHTSA defines odometer fraud as the disconnection, resetting or alteration of a vehicle's odometer with the intent to change the number of miles indicated. NHTSA estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with false odometer readings.
| NHTSA figure | What it measures |
|---|---|
| 452K | Approximate number of odometer fraud cases per year in the United States |
| 3.47% | Chance of odometer fraud occurring during the first 11 years of a vehicle's life |
Figures and wording from NHTSA's Odometer Fraud page, read November 10, 2026; NHTSA cites its own study on the incidence rate of odometer fraud.
How to spot a rolled-back odometer
NHTSA suggests these checks before you buy a used vehicle:
Check the title
Ask to see the title and compare the mileage on it with the odometer. Look closely at the title if the mileage is obscured or hard to read.
Compare the records
Compare the odometer with the mileage on maintenance or inspection records. Look for oil change or maintenance stickers on windows or door frames, in the glove box or under the hood.
Look at the tires
If the odometer shows 20,000 miles or less, the vehicle should still have its original tires, NHTSA says.
Check the wear
Look at wear on the vehicle, especially the gas, brake and clutch pedals, and ask whether it fits the mileage shown.
Get a history report
Get a vehicle history report and look for odometer discrepancies. If the seller has none, you can order one online using the VIN.
Digital odometers
NHTSA notes that a tampered digital odometer is harder to detect than a mechanical one, so the vehicle's condition and a detailed history report are your best clues.
What federal law requires
NHTSA is direct: committing odometer fraud is a crime. Federal law requires the seller to disclose the odometer mileage in writing on the title when ownership of a vehicle is transferred. If the mileage shown is not correct, the title must say so.
NHTSA's page also notes that older vehicles are exempt from the written disclosure requirement, describing them as vehicles 20 years old or older, or model year 2010 or older. Check the current rule on NHTSA's page for the vehicle you are buying.
If you think you were a victim
NHTSA says to contact your state's enforcement agency about an individual case. For a large-scale scheme, NHTSA asks you to contact its Vehicle Safety Hotline; the contact details, including the mailing address of NHTSA's Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation, are on NHTSA's Odometer Fraud page.
NHTSA cannot pursue claims for individual consumers, and it suggests talking with a private attorney about your legal rights and remedies.
Service at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Michigan City Ford is a new and used Ford dealership in Michigan City, IN, with its own service department.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Odometer fraud FAQ
What is odometer fraud?
NHTSA defines it as the disconnection, resetting or alteration of a vehicle's odometer with the intent to change the number of miles indicated.
How common is odometer fraud?
NHTSA estimates that more than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with false odometer readings.
How can I tell if an odometer was rolled back?
NHTSA suggests comparing the title and service records with the odometer, looking for maintenance stickers, checking tire and pedal wear against the mileage, and getting a vehicle history report.
Is odometer fraud a crime?
Yes. NHTSA says committing odometer fraud is a crime, and federal law requires the seller to disclose the mileage in writing on the title when ownership is transferred.
Can a digital odometer be rolled back?
NHTSA says tampered digital odometers are harder to detect than mechanical ones because they have no visible moving parts.
Who do I report odometer fraud to?
NHTSA says to contact your state's enforcement agency for an individual case, and NHTSA itself for a large-scale scheme.
More used car buying guides
See what a salvage title means and how to check a vehicle for recalls.
Sources
Odometer fraud definitions, figures, checks and legal points are from NHTSA's Odometer Fraud page, read November 10, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- NHTSA: Odometer Fraud, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026