Are you driving a vehicle with hidden miles?
Every year, thousands of California drivers discover they’ve been victims of odometer fraud, costing them thousands in unexpected repairs and diminished resale value.
The Hidden Epidemic of Odometer Fraud in California
Unfortunately, odometer fraud is rampant in the auto industry, especially in California.
California consumers lose millions annually to odometer fraud, yet most victims never realize they’ve been deceived until it’s too late.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 400,000 vehicles are sold each year with false odometer readings, costing American car buyers more than $1 billion annually (NHTSA, 2023).
Carfax data shows that consumers lose an average of $4,000 in value from unknowingly buying a car with a rolled-back odometer, not including the unexpected maintenance costs that often follow.
Without professional legal intervention, car buyers face years of unexpected expenses, dangerous driving conditions, and significant financial losses when attempting to sell or trade in their vehicles.
The problem is growing worse, with Carfax reporting more than 2.14 million cars on the road with rolled-back odometers, an increase of 18% since 2021.
Why Odometer Fraud in California Is Particularly Devastating
California’s unique driving conditions make odometer fraud especially harmful to unsuspecting buyers.
In fact, according to Carfax research, California has the most affected vehicles—more than 437,000 cars with incorrect odometer readings (Car and Driver, 2022).
Heavy traffic conditions in Los Angeles and other metropolitan areas cause excessive wear on vehicle components that may not be reflected in manipulated odometer readings.
The state’s complex emissions regulations mean vehicles with fraudulent mileage readings often fail smog tests unexpectedly, leaving buyers unable to register their vehicles legally.
With California’s high cost of living, the financial burden of major repairs on vehicles with hidden mileage creates devastating economic pressure on families already struggling with housing and other essential costs.
Time is critical – every day driving a vehicle with hidden miles increases both repair costs and diminishes your legal options for recovery.
How Car Dealers and Private Sellers Hide Odometer Fraud
Sellers use a range of deceptive practices to hide odometer fraud.
Car dealers employ sophisticated digital tools to reprogram electronic odometers, leaving no physical evidence of tampering.
Private sellers often disconnect odometers temporarily during extensive use periods then reconnect them before selling, creating artificial gaps in the vehicle’s mileage accumulation.
Repair shops affiliated with dishonest dealers provide falsified service records showing maintenance consistent with fraudulent mileage readings.
Vehicle history report companies rely on self-reported data, allowing months or years of mileage to go unrecorded between official documentation points.
Third-party odometer tampering services advertise discreetly to dealers, offering “mileage calibration” services that electronically alter digital displays without leaving evidence.
Sophisticated laundering techniques move vehicles across state lines to create gaps in documentation that hide accumulated mileage.
Vehicle title washing schemes exploit differences in state title documentation to erase evidence of actual mileage between registrations.
How Consumer Action Law Group Fights For Odometer Fraud Victims
Comprehensive Investigation Approach
Our odometer fraud lawyers immediately secure and analyze all vehicle documentation to identify discrepancies in reported mileage.
We deploy forensic automotive specialists who can detect electronic tampering even when conventional inspections show no evidence of fraud.
Our team accesses proprietary vehicle database systems that reveal maintenance records not available in standard vehicle history reports.
We conduct thorough depositions of previous owners and dealership personnel to establish the vehicle’s true history and usage patterns.
Our specialized knowledge of electronic control modules allows us to recover hidden mileage data even after tampering attempts.
Aggressive Legal Representation
We file comprehensive legal actions against all responsible parties, including dealerships, private sellers, and any accomplices in the fraudulent transaction.
Our car fraud attorneys leverage federal and state laws regarding odometers that provide for triple damages, significantly increasing potential compensation for our clients.
We pursue both actual and punitive damages under California’s strict consumer protection statutes to maximize financial recovery.
We handle all aspects of the legal process on a contingency basis, ensuring you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Our proven track record against major dealerships gives us negotiating leverage that often results in favorable settlements without lengthy court proceedings.
Our Odometer Fraud Services
Comprehensive Case Analysis
Our attorneys conduct thorough evaluations of your vehicle’s documentation, identifying discrepancies that prove fraudulent activity.
We perform detailed forensic inspections that can recover electronic evidence of tampering even when traditional methods fail.
Our team analyzes maintenance records, warranty claims, and service history to establish the vehicle’s true mileage pattern.
Federal Odometer Law Claims
We file claims under the federal Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, which provides significant statutory damages.
Our attorneys leverage federal law provisions that allow for triple damages against parties involved in odometer fraud.
We pursue attorney fees under federal statutes, ensuring you pay nothing for our representation regardless of case complexity.
California State Law Protection
We utilize California’s strict Consumer Legal Remedies Act to pursue maximum compensation for our clients.
Our attorneys file actions under California’s specific odometer tampering statutes that provide enhanced penalties.
We leverage state unfair business practice laws to hold fraudulent dealers accountable for their deceptive actions.
Multi-Party Litigation
Our team identifies and pursues all responsible parties including dealerships, private sellers, and repair facilities.
We trace vehicle history to hold previous owners accountable for their role in the fraudulent activities.
Our attorneys pursue claims against financing companies that facilitated transactions involving odometer fraud.
Recent Settlements We Have Won For Clients!
Testimonials
Our California Office
FAQs About Odometer Fraud
Q: How can I tell if my vehicle’s odometer has been tampered with?
A: Inconsistencies between the vehicle’s condition and its reported mileage often provide the first indication of potential fraud. Warning signs include excessive wear on pedals, steering wheels, and seat upholstery despite low mileage readings. Our specialists can conduct forensic examinations that detect electronic tampering even when there are no visible signs of manipulation.
Q: How soon after purchasing a car with an odometer rollback must I take legal action?
A: California law provides specific timeframes for filing odometer fraud claims, typically within four years of purchase. However, the sooner you contact our odometer fraud lawyers, the better your chances of successful recovery. Early intervention allows us to preserve critical evidence before it’s lost or destroyed.
Q: Does California have specific laws protecting victims of odometer fraud?
A: Yes, California maintains some of the nation’s strongest consumer protection laws for auto fraud victims. In addition to federal odometer laws, California’s Consumer Legal Remedies Act and unfair business practice statutes provide powerful legal tools for recovery. Our attorneys leverage these specific legal protections to maximize your compensation.
Q: How long does the typical odometer fraud case take to resolve?
A: While each case is unique, many of our odometer fraud claims reach settlement within 4-6 months of filing. More complex cases involving multiple parties or disputed evidence may take 8-12 months to resolve. Our attorneys work diligently to expedite your case while ensuring maximum recovery.
Q: What documentation will I need to provide for my case?
A: The most important documents include your purchase agreement, vehicle history reports, service records, and any communications with the seller. However, don’t worry if you don’t have all these items – our team can help obtain many documents through the legal process. The initial free consultation only requires basic information about your vehicle and the circumstances of your purchase.
Q: How do car dealerships typically respond to odometer fraud accusations?
A: Most dealerships initially deny any knowledge of odometer tampering or fraudulent practices and may attempt to blame previous owners or claim the discrepancies are due to legitimate odometer replacements. Their insurance companies often make low initial settlement offers hoping consumers will accept less than fair compensation. Our experienced attorneys anticipate these tactics and know how to effectively counter them.
Q: Can I pursue a case if I’ve already sold the vehicle?
A: Yes, you can still pursue an odometer fraud case even after selling the vehicle, though documentation becomes more critical. Our attorneys can often build successful cases based on service records, previous inspections, and other evidence that establishes the fraud occurred. Contact us for a free consultation to evaluate your specific situation.
Don't Be a Victim of Odometer Fraud, Contact Our Lawyers Today!
Don’t continue making payments on a vehicle worth thousands less than you were led to believe.
Contact Consumer Action Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our experienced odometer fraud lawyers.
Call (818) 254-8413 now or complete our online form to schedule your consultation and begin the process of recovering the money you deserve.
