VIN Check information Question

[Van on 66]

I went and physically looked at a used van yesterday and then went online and paid for a VIN report from TitleCheck.us, a federal government referred VIN check service.  The van is a 2004 Ford E350 that shows 200,000 miles on the odometer, a digital odometer, mind you.  However, when I got my VIN report it showed the odometer reading nearly two years ago @ 295,000.  Is it possible that this was a clearical error?  I understand that digital odometers are nearly impossible to roll back.

 

[Weight]

No they are not impossible to roll back. The electronics can also be replaced. But a story, I bought a barn find 1987 Dodge with 51000 miles on the odometer. The seats, floor mats, peddles, and all such surfaces were as new. The maintenance records lead right up to 50000 miles. The MV clerk said "the numbers must have rolled over" and marked the title as such. So now shows on title as 151.000 miles.

 

[tx2sturgis]

There are plenty of replacement dashboard components, or entire display replacements for sale thru various sources, not to mention just pulling one at a salvage yard and installing it in the older vehicle. 

Spending $50 at a pick-n-pull for a dash replacement can easily generate thousands more in resale value on an older vehicle. This is actually somewhat common on diesel pickups. 

It's one of the reasons I recommend carfax (and similar) reports, along with other in-person inspections. The chain of odometer readings should always go up, not down.

 It is POSSIBLE a clerical error was made, but more likely a component was changed in the dash.

Good catch, you got your moneys worth.

 

[Van on 66]

Thanks for the info as always tx2sturgis!  I had a mechanic with me when I looked at the van and he was actually impressed with how good a condition that it was in mechanically.  What was the best point was that this van had a new transmission in it which is a big plus.  It had also had several other things replaced that he caught and there were zero leaks.  Of course, I would prefer to just keep driving my Astro at the moment.  

In pressing the issue of the history I discovered that this van was purchased from UCLA where it was one of their shuttle vehicles.  The downside is that all of the tires have to be replaced right away and the steering wheel is about 25 degrees off and the van pulls to the right.  The owner of it stated that, at this point, all he wants to do is to recoop the money that he spent on the tranny.  Here is the listing link.  https://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/cto/d/phoenix-2004-super-duty-350/7172928129.html

 

[highdesertranger]

keep in mind a new transmission is a world apart from a rebuilt transmission. judging from the asking price and what he said about recouping the cost of the transmission I would guess it's a rebuilt. rebuilds are a crap shoot some good some terrible.

who did the work?
is there a warranty?
is the warranty transferable?
where does it need to go for warranty work?

a warranty is no good if you are in Maine and you need to take it back to Arizona for the warranty(just an example).

highdesertranger

 

[Van on 66]

Thanks highdesertranger.   All very good points and one's that I am addressing to him and waiting for the answers to.  The mechanic that I I had check it out swears that it is a new one as opposed to a rebuilt. so we will see.

 

[wayne49]

DMV clerks can be a pain.
One in Pahrump registered my 1995 Suzuki DR-200S (200cc engine) dual sport as weighing 2890 lbs. Instead of the 289 lbs on the MSO (manufacturer's statement of origin).

 

[Van on 66]

And I am not surprised at that at all.

 

[WILD@HEART]

Yes, all these things are very common.
Once found a clerical VIN error on registration, one number was substituted for a similar shaped letter.
Keep your eyes wide open...

 

[Van on 66]

Yes, all these things are very common.
Once found a clerical VIN error on registration, one number was substituted for a similar shaped letter.
Keep your eyes wide open...

I definitely will!