Is mileage rollback ever legal?

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by armothe, Apr 16, 2005.

  1. armothe

    armothe Member

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    My friend is looking to purchase a classic car from Canada and was wondering if having the odometer (and the ratio) converted from kilometers to miles is acceptable to do in this situation? Do laws vary from state to state? I told him I woudl pose the question here amongst the experts.
     
    armothe, Apr 16, 2005
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  2. T.L.

    T.L. Banned

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    It's only illegal if you try to misrepresent the actual mileage of the vehical when you go to sell it, which is fraud. Otherwise, it should not be an issue. I know guys who have changed rearend gears and never changed the speedo gear, and their speedometers/odometers are no longer accurate and have been driven like that for years. I also know guys who's speedo cable is not even hooked up (technically illegal on the street)...all they care about is what the tach says. As long as they are up front about it if they sell the car, it's not fradulent...
     
    T.L., Apr 16, 2005
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  3. Craig Selvey

    Craig Selvey Indiana State Rep - MCCI

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    I know here in Indiana....after 10 years the title is stamped "EXEMPT" on miles. You have to request it not be exempt if you want to keep the miles on the title. My 1974 had 28K on it when I bought it...so I told them to keep the miles on there. My 1972 Graber had 185K on it when I bought it. I had them mark it exempt. I have since rolled the odometer back to ZERO to signify my restoration of the car.
     
    Craig Selvey, Apr 17, 2005
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  4. maverick1970

    maverick1970 MCG State Rep

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    I am sure the laws vary from state to state. My guess is that if you swap it out as long as you document it and disclose it to a future buyer it won't be an issue with a classic car. Keep all the old parts with the car also.
    On another note:
    Not sure how they did it on the early years but on late model Ford replacements the tenths wheel will be red (had one replaced in my 95 Taurus SE when it was new. if the odometer is a replacement on digital dashes they will have an S with a circle around it illuminated in the cluster my sisters 90 Cougar. In both cases the dealer was required to place a tag on the door signifying that the odometer has been replaced with the date and the mileage at the change.
     
    maverick1970, Apr 17, 2005
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  5. Rando76

    Rando76 Member

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    They also put "EXEMPT" on Oklahoma titles. However, here you cannot request the mileage be put on the title - if it's more than 10, it will say "EXEMPT" - no exceptions. Of course, they also can't put more than 4 characters for the vehicle make. My Mavericks are "FORD MAVE" and my Thunderbird is a "FORD THL". :huh:
    As far as odometer changes, I agree with T.L. It's not illegal until you try to sell the car as something it's not.
     
    Rando76, Apr 19, 2005
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