How can I change my odometer to the correct mileage?

Just trying to help, not trying to defraud anyone ... But what the guy above said,,, all this for 8,000 miles.... That's like No mileage at all... Why even bother? (other than to learn how to repair a broken odometer that is )

It would have bothered me every time I looked at the odometer and knew it was wrong. Maybe I need counseling. My wife thinks so. Anyway, it gave a chance to clean everything up. The new gauge assembly wasn't quite as clean as the original.

Used a drill on mine with a screwdriver chucked in the end of it with some rubber tape wrapped around it to keep it from slipping. Spin it to the mileage you want and re-install it. How many old Fords do we drive that haven't exceeded the 99,000 mile mark and rolled over anyway? Not a selling point or act of fraud. I reset mine to zero when the engine and tranny were rebuilt and I sleep just fine. I would inform the buyer if I ever sold it.

Each of you make an "impassioned" plea for why it’s "OK" to change the odometer ro something less than the actual mile that have calculated. Let’s just say that you are as honest as you say...you would Never, misrepresent the mileage shown on the altered odometer as the actual mileage - right. Stange, I haven't noticed one guy happy about putting in odometer/speedometer with more miles. If it was OK to toss in any ol' speed odometer, then you would think there might be a 50/50 split?

The problem is the next owner and the next owner and the next....

We already have evidence in these pages that family history, family legends of a car that uncle "Joe" got from the factory with a 427, 8v - when matched against the invoice, Ford factory records or reading the VIN show a whole different truth. Which is more likely ... that the owner altered the car or the car was originally built with a different motor, drive train?

Come on guys...this does not hold up to even the simplest investigation. The only reason to change the odometer is to give a false sense of exclusivity to a car or to reflect replacement of a failed part, which should be directly matched to what is indicated on the original. We all want a low mileage, early model car - some survivor that was owned by a "little old lady" the only drove it to church on Sunday, plus she was basically a sinner - so she only drove it to church for Easter and Christmas and that was just around the block. That's why the car (a 1956 Crown Victoria) only has 150 miles on it! Look at me, I have a very special car.

Fact is, if you change the odometer, without documenting in an indelible manner (writing it on the title, documenting and notarize and witnessed declaration of fact); if not, sooner or later, someone will represent that mileage as "fact".

The altered odometer law(s) were passed not because too many people were being too honest, it was passed to make sure we all know it is not a good thing not fair – not legal, and to ensure there could be a penalty accessed, if it is discovered that the odometer has been tampered with ... end of story.

If you really want to hold on to the illusion that it’s OK, then why ask? Just do it and keep it to yourself.

The inconvenient truth is we all for some reason or other have decided to judge the condition of the "Whole car" based on a very narrow basis of miles traveled. Air craft and trucks are judged based on engine hours and age. Cars are judged based on mileage. Neither are perfect, but they are the hallmarks used to judge the vehicle - so once you change them .... it is a form of fraud, good intentioned or not.

Taken from a more basic example; No matter how much cosmetic surgery Cher goes thru, she is still an over 50 year old woman, I don't see her asking to change her birth certificate. Of course, no real Gentleman or Lady would ask her age, but the fact is still the same, appearance have nothing to do fact – this is not a case of Shangri la.

Do we really want to play a Con man/Lawyer game or discuss the facts?

Well Put Beo, I agree that the morality behind it is good and decent.

I for one never care about the mileage on a car I am about to by, but that's simply becasue I am a mechanic and don't sweat the small schitt..

I totally agree someone changing the #'s to reflect a lesser # than actual # is fradulent, and I do not go along with that.

Remember my 66 Mustang I gave to my sister.

It's got 1,200 miles on the odometer now. 848 miles from my house to hers and then her consequential driving since then. BUT, every single piece of that car was restored to new condition, the engine, drivetrain, interior, dash , instruments, fuel tank, brakes, brake lines, ball joints, tie rod's Etc... Exerything but the steel used to make the spindles, and axle's and housings and body...
So essentially there is ONLY 1,200 miles on the car, when in reality there should be 94K and change plus the 1,200, but which better reflects the condition of the car?

I'm not condoning 'crookery' {just coined that word} but I LOVE a good discussion, and you're points have NOT been altered with the words of my post, the morality of the law and your words still stand.

But my sister's car will never again leave the family, but if it ever does, there is a note in the glove box stating that this car was restored and by whom and the mileage effectivey reads actual miles since it's restoration.

Besides, there is never going to be ANY mustang 6 cyl coupes with less than 50K miles in this condition come up for sale unless it spent it's entire life in the Smithsonian...

Did I just ramble again....

My Mustang has 150,200 miles on it. My "new" used odometer showed 58,700 miles. That is not the accurate mileage. I have changed it to 50,200 and correct to the car. The 58,700 represents some GT parts car in Oklahoma; not my car. I did not change the odometer to 49,000 or 25,000. If I had, Beoweolf would have an arguement.

• The fact is that if the "new" used odometer had shown 10,000 or 90,000, I would have changed it to 50,200. If I could, I would put it at 150,200, but it is missing the hundred thousands number.
  • I'm a Christian and while not perfect, that is my goal. Liars make me sick. Those laws weren't written for people like me. They were written for con men and that is the way they are stated.I don't have to wait until "sooner or later". I am representing the mileage on the odometer as "fact" right now. If I had not changed it, it would not be "fact". Anybody that is familiar with a 1988 LX will know that this white face, 140 MPH speedometer is not original anyway.
    • Also, I didn't ask anyone on the forum if it was OK to change an odometer, just how to do it. My motives are not sinister. There is no fraud involved. If I had left the odometer at the higher mileage, wouldn't that be fraudulent? It is not commonly done, but it is still being deceitful about the true condition of the car.