C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

odometer rollback..

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 8, 2009 | 12:22 AM
  #1  
Paculdo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star State
06 CTT-S
odometer rollback..

quick question.. if you are purchasing a car.. a pre-owned car.. and you asked for the carfax and it's documented that the car had already 40k miles but the actual odometer is at 38k - can you go after the dealership and tell them about it? is the dealership liable (DMV)? like this is some sort of false advertisement or something?

is carfax that reliable? thing is, the dealership have let me take the car home.. to drive it.. my wife noticed the descrepancy in the carfax report versus the odometer value..

i like the car.. inspected it.. had a bodyshop and a mechanic check it and they say its all clean.. certified to 100k or 2012..

what's ur thought? thanks in advance.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2009 | 12:59 AM
  #2  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Carfax is reliable but they do make mistakes. Is the dealership in question a Mercedes-Benz dealership? You could ask for someone at the dealership to look at the VMI.

Does Carfax say "ODOMETER FRAUD" or does it just show something like service @ 40,000 miles.

Need more detail.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2009 | 04:12 AM
  #3  
W203E35's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,537
Likes: 8
2006 C350 Sport 6MT
I think it's probably a mistake somewhere not necessarily fraud.

When the car enters the dealer they record the mileage and that's how carfax get's it. Maybe they recorded the number wrong.

for example it might have been 22,444 and some how they might have put 24,222. something like that and over the time it accumulated and in the end you are 2K off.

I think it was human error rather than odometer fraud.

Good Luck
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2009 | 04:19 AM
  #4  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
I was thinking a dealer might have documented "40,000 mile service" at 37,000 miles or something. Unless it's flagged by carfax, I don't think you've got an issue. If the carfax is flagged, I'm not sure I'd buy it. I definitely wouldn't if I couldn't get carfax to correct it as you would run into woes when you went to sell/trade it later.
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2009 | 02:25 PM
  #5  
OneOfaKindTrini's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 2
From: Queens, Ny
Nike Turbo Shox
iT CoulD Be a Mistake... Where Are YOu Buying The Car From?
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 01:08 AM
  #6  
Paculdo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star State
06 CTT-S
there's no indication in the carfax report that there's an odometer fraud.. i pointed this out in the dealership and they say they can guarantee that the odometer wasn't tampered.. as you all guys mentioned, it may have been an error when the tech entered the odometer reading during scheduled service.. dealership in houston area...
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 01:17 AM
  #7  
Paculdo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Super Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Lone Star State
06 CTT-S
here's a bit of the detail in the report...
06/02/2008 - 25,069 oil and filter changed, maintenance inspection completed, safety inspection completed
06/02/2008 - passed safety inspection, passed emissions inspection
12/10/2008 - 31,834 - brakes checked, manufaturer's recommended maintenance performed
03/27/2009 - 42,511 - engine/powertrain computer/module checked
09/07/2009 - (no mileage) - no recalls open for repair

do you think that it should have been 32,511 instead of 42,511?

the current odo reading is at 39,118 miles.. there's no other report (carfax) that the car was bought from any auctions, etc.. from 09/07 to present at the dealership.. i added that extra 100+ miles as i had it at 39,010.

i have read that you can call carfax to correct the 'erroneous' entry? anyways, if i ended getting this car, how will it reflect in the report? it'll be less (mileage) than that last entry hence - will be subject for odometer fraud/rollback? when they apply for the title, etc it will be less than 42k.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:27 AM
  #8  
ATL_MB's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong/Charlotte
2010 C63
Look at the dates from 31,834 miles to 42,511 miles - I don't think it is likely that someone put almost 11,000 miles on the car in approx. 14 weeks (possible, but not likely). Looks like a data entry error.

Also, why would someone would go to the trouble to roll back the odometer by just 4,000 miles?
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 01:39 PM
  #9  
LILBENZ230's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 8,384
Likes: 800
2019 G70 6MT & 2022 Ford Maverick XL
Agreed. Call carfax about the error prior to purchase. You don't want to risk having problems down the road because of it.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:04 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE