A STUDY & STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF ODOMETER TAMPERING BY PURCHASERS OF ONE-TIME LEASE VEHICLES. FINAL REPORT

The primary objective was to determine the current level of odometer tampering in one-time lease vehicles. A secondary objective was to replicate as closely as possible a similar 1985 study and to compare the results. Odometer readings at the time vehicles were sold by two major leasing companies were compared with the odometer readings of those same vehicles when they were later resold to ultimate consumer purchasers in order to determine if odometer tampering had occurred. Based on an analysis of the leased vehicles resold by the two lease companies the study estimated a 5.07% tampering rate for leased vehicles. A close replication of the 1985 study disclosed a 3.91% rollback rate versus the 50% rate found in the prior study. The report credits this apparent reduction to new legislation and increased criminal prosecutions. It recommends continued vigilance and creation of a nationwide odometer database.

• Corporate Authors:

  Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General

  Bureau of Consumer Protection, 21 S 12th Street, 2nd Floor
  Philadelphia, PA  United States  19107

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kelly, J E
• Publication Date: 1992-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Tables;
• Pagination: 33 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Consumer protection; Leasing; Odometers; Rental cars; Tampering
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I90: Vehicles;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00721348
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-807 922
• Contract Numbers: DTNH22-92-P-01099
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: May 2 1996 12:00AM