Help! Odometer Rollback Question

BimmerDC · #1 06-11-2009, 08:13 AM

Hey everyone,
I'm about to buy a Certified Pre-Owned 2004 X5 3.0i with 74k miles on it from a private dealer. The Carfax report shows "Inconsistent Odometer Reading" with the first owner. When you look at the reason, it was reported at an Auto Auction in 10/6/04 with 10k miles. Then a month later it was reported at a service facility with 7k miles. I have attached a pic of the report.
I've read through some of the other posts and understand that if the odometer has been tampered with there will be a red dot?? Does anyone have a pic? Also, is it even possible to rollback the odom? What do you think about this report? If I take it to the dealer can they verify actual mileage? Thanks!

Sponsored Links

BlackE32_SilverE53 · #2 06-11-2009, 08:21 AM

That one, I would actually leave alone.... What else are they hiding about the vehicle? Ordinarily you could say it was a typo, but with the two prior readings being above 7500 and one of the readings was during servicing where the info is read electronically off the key, I would say it was more than likely an acurate reading... Run away from this X...

Weasel · #3 06-11-2009, 08:21 AM

My guess is that was a clerical error because the mileage is stored electronically and redundantly in 2 modules. To roll back the mileage without causing the red temper light would involve replacing 2 expensive control modules at the same time and programming them with the different mileage. And the dealer wouldn't be able to CPO the vehicle if it had been tampered with. I'm gonna stick with clerical error.

And to what you're saying with the key report, That happens all the time when someone drops off the vehicle with the spare key and it hasn't ben used in a long time so doesn't have the proper mileage stored. The SA is supposed to go out to the vehicle to check, but doesn't always, especially when they are extra busy. (I see that weekly)

Wagner · #4 06-11-2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasel

My guess is that was a clerical error because the mileage is stored electronically and redundantly in 2 modules. To roll back the mileage without causing the red temper light would involve replacing 2 expensive control modules at the same time and programming them with the different mileage. And the dealer wouldn't be able to CPO the vehicle if it had been tampered with. I'm gonna stick with clerical error.

And to what you're saying with the key report, That happens all the time when someone drops off the vehicle with the spare key and it hasn't ben used in a long time so doesn't have the proper mileage stored. The SA is supposed to go out to the vehicle to check, but doesn't always, especially when they are extra busy. (I see that weekly)

Fully agree.

BimmerDC · #5 06-11-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasel

My guess is that was a clerical error because the mileage is stored electronically and redundantly in 2 modules. To roll back the mileage without causing the red temper light would involve replacing 2 expensive control modules at the same time and programming them with the different mileage. And the dealer wouldn't be able to CPO the vehicle if it had been tampered with. I'm gonna stick with clerical error.

I was thinking the same thing.. is there anyway I can be 100% sure? The car is in another state so I havnt been able to see it. Should I have the guy take a pic of the odometer and will the red light be visible? or can he conceal that? Should I have him take it to a BMW dealership to verify?

FSETH · #6 06-11-2009, 08:56 AM

I agree with Weasel and Wagner. Why would someone take the chance or time to roll mileage back only 3,000 miles?

motordavid · #7 06-11-2009, 08:57 AM

I wouldn't be sweating the odo...I would be concerned with the off'd at
auction way back in '04, a half year after the persumed orig owner bought it.
There are lots full of Xs around; I would keep looking, imo.
GL,mD

Weasel · #8 06-11-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

I wouldn't be sweating the odo...I would be concerned with the off'd at auction way back in '04, a half year after the persumed orig owner bought it. There are lots full of Xs around; I would keep looking, imo. GL,mD

It says listed as a manufacturer vehicle on that section, may have been a demo or a lease return. All out lease returns go to auction from our dealer.

I would get the last 7 digits of the vin and give them to the dealer you would be using for service, then ask them to look up the vehicle history report. That would let you know if they see any problems in there as they could also tell you how much time is remaining on the CPO coverage.

simoncpw · #9 06-11-2009, 01:34 PM

Errr.... I don't know how, but I'm pretty sure the odometer can be turned back with no error message / light and little cost.

When I bought my X last year, MY2002 4.6, it had just over 30,000km on the clock! For a 6 year old car?! But knowing I would not trust the clock when buying any used car here, I took the car to my trustable workshop for an inspection before I made the final decision. The car definitely look more than 30k km, but still in pretty good condition and price for a MY2002.

Again, I don't know how it can be done but for myself, I never trust the reading on the clock when I evaluate a used car, at least in this part of the world!

BimmerDC · #10 06-11-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weasel

I would get the last 7 digits of the vin and give them to the dealer you would be using for service, then ask them to look up the vehicle history report. That would let you know if they see any problems in there as they could also tell you how much time is remaining on the CPO coverage.

I called the dealer and BMWUSA. They said nothing about an odometer rollback and the CPO is still active (expires early next year). Once I brought the issue up with the dealer he called Carfax/auction and they already fixed the report. Now it shows no issues... Am I in the clear???

Sponsored Links