Actual Mileage

[Whitelightning]

Howdy, I was just wondering how the hell you are suppose to know what the actual mileage is on your truck if it doesn't even have the hundreds place. Some sort of trick? Or are you suppose to just believe who ever sells it to you?

 

[srteach]

NO hundreds place? That makes it illegal (federally) in the US. How did they do that? Is it an aftermarket face, or is it OEM?

Simply, don't buy, and don't trust the seller.

 

[doorgunner]

mileage is important.......but good compression/a clutch that doesnt slip/an A/T that shifts well/a rear end that doesn't whine/a front end that doesnt wander or shimmy/tires that are not worn on the edges/a radiator that doesn't have leakage stains all over it/wheel-brakes that don't have brake fluid stains on the inner faces/carpet that doesn't smell mouldy--feel damp/etc.....are more important than low mileage.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

I had a high mileage girlfriend one time, yea she was driven hard but she still had great compression and her headlights were pointing in the right direction too.

 

[shane96ranger]

I know what you are talking about, the extra digit for the hundred thousand position. There's no way to tell actual mileage really unless the previous owner has years of documentation. Here in Utah you theoretically could follow the state inspection paperwork that happens once a year, provided the PO has it all. You have to use your own judgment in every case though. Doorgunner provided some good things to look for above.

Ford really did us a disservice by getting chintzy on the odometers; luckily they quit doing it (I think in 95 they had the extra digit in almost all if not every vehicle). I watch the local classifieds here and people have ads that say "the odometer said it had less than 60,000 miles on it". Look at the ad below, I can tell by looking at the oil and gunk on it that it has 160 or even 260,000 miles on it.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=14445183&cat=&lpid=2&search=mustang 88 5.0&s=1

The other thing I don't like is, my car has 18X,000 actual miles on it. Since my odometer only says 8X,000 miles, the title says the odometer has gone beyond it's mechanical limits.

 

[RangerMtnHigh]

I had a high mileage girlfriend one time, yea she was driven hard but she still had great compression and her headlights were pointing in the right direction too.

 

[AllanD]

"odometer has exceeded mechanical limits"

Hundred thousands position wasn't mandated until 1995-ish.

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[Whitelightning]

It is a 94, says 08,xxx. That really sucks about that whole deal. I guess you just have to trust people, and people are very shady when it comes to cars. Was it really that much harder to put another digit? I mean c'mon.

 

[TheTopher]

A good indicator in my experience is to look at the pedal cover wear. For instance my company truck with 130k miles has the pad on the brake pedal cover worn down so far you can see a metal corner sticking out.


Don't use that method on it's own though, owners can always replace covers.

 

[Mark_88]

Don't use that method on it's own though, owners can always replace covers.

Glad you pointed that out because some stealerships (and word of mouth to their employees' friends) know all the tricks of the trade to make it appear low mileage...I know because I've seen some mint looking vehicles that turned out to be on their last legs...

I agree with Doorgunner about what it more important...check it out carefully yourself or take it to a mechanic friend if you're not sure...they can see things that are easily overlooked by us regular backyard mechanics...

 

[nitrofan1]

An overall inspection is warranted. Test drive, run a magnet over a cloth and swipe it down the entire truck. Ask if you can take it to a certified mechanic. Put it on a lift and check the tightness of the chassis and driveshaft.

Looks can be deceiving. My little Splash has 206,000 on it but it's so clean and well taken care of I could say it has 106,000 but I'm not that kind of person and would proudly say how much it has.

 

[adsm08]

Was it really that much harder to put another digit? I mean c'mon.

Well, back then many vehicles had an average life expectancy of 100,000 or less and so a 6th place was viewed as unneeded. I realize that many of our trucks have been flipped more than once, but they are also the generations that pointed out that the 6th place was needed.

 

[adsm08]

Here in Utah you theoretically could follow the state inspection paperwork that happens once a year, provided the PO has it all.

In theory you could do that here in PA as well. The problem is idiots who ignore obvious clues that the odometer is not showing the actual mileage. I'd done my own emissions and safety checks for a few years before this past one. Due to a job change I didn't work at an emissions station anymore so I had to have it done for me. Despite the fact that my old stickers said "13X,xxx" the moron who did my emissions check only put 59,xxx down on the paper work and the sticker.

 

[Snafu]

A good indicator in my experience is to look at the pedal cover wear. For instance my company truck with 130k miles has the pad on the brake pedal cover worn down so far you can see a metal corner sticking out.


Don't use that method on it's own though, owners can always replace covers.

haha good point my 88 has what i think to be just a hair under 200k, still running strong but the clutch and brake are worn down to the metal on the right edges

 

[shane96ranger]

Despite the fact that my old stickers said "13X,xxx" the moron who did my emissions check only put 59,xxx down on the paper work and the sticker.

Key word: moron. I despise half assed mechanics. If something is done half assed on one of my vehicles, I better be the one to do it, LOL.