This article is general information, not legal advice. If you believe you've bought a clocked vehicle, speak to a consumer attorney.
The federal law
The federal odometer law (49 U.S.C. Chapter 327, originally the Truth in Mileage Act) makes it illegal to disconnect, reset or alter a vehicle's odometer with intent to change the mileage shown, to sell or install devices for that purpose, and to knowingly make false mileage disclosures when a vehicle changes hands. Violations can carry civil penalties and criminal prosecution, including imprisonment.
Mileage disclosure
When ownership transfers, the seller must disclose the mileage in writing. Rules introduced in recent years extended disclosure to vehicles from model year 2011 onward until they are 20 years old. A false disclosure is itself a violation.
Your right to sue
A person who violates the federal odometer law with intent to defraud can be liable to the buyer for three times the actual damages or $10,000, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney's fees. Many states have their own laws and consumer-protection statutes on top.
Why that isn't enough
- You have to prove it. That usually means expert evidence about the true mileage and when it was altered.
- You have to find who did it. Clocked cars often pass through auctions and several owners before they reach you. The dealer who sold it to you may not have done it.
- It takes time. Litigation can drag on for years, during which you own a car worth far less than you paid.
Where to report it
NHTSA runs an Office of Odometer Fraud Investigation. You can report suspected fraud through NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline on 888-327-4236, as well as to local law enforcement and your state attorney general.
The best defense
The law is there for when everything else fails. The cheapest, fastest way to deal with odometer fraud is to find it before you've signed anything.
Don't buy blind. We fly to the car anywhere in the lower 48 and check whether the miles are real. Book an inspection or call 725-286-6171.
Statistics cited: CARFAX odometer rollback data (December 2025); National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. General information only — not legal or financial advice.