Is it actually possible to rewind the odometer in a car, like in Matilda?

Question

In the novel "Matilda", the protagonist's father is a dishonest used car salesman. One of the tactics he describes is to connect the odometer of a car to a drill, and run it backwards, to make the number of miles go down. Is that really possible? Does it work in real life? What about electronic speedometers?

I wasn't actually going to attempt it, I was just wondering if it was possible.

Answer 1

FEDERAL ODOMETER LAW

Motor Vehicle Cost Information Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 32704

1. (It shall be unlawful for a person) "with intent to defraud, operate a motor vehicle on a street, road, or highway if the person knows that the odometer of the vehicle is disconnected or not operating; or

2. The owner of the vehicle or agent of the owner shall attach a written notice to the left door frame of the vehicle specifying the mileage before the service, repair, or replacement and the date of the service, repair, or replacement.

3. A person transferring ownership of a motor vehicle shall give the transferree the following written disclosure

A) Disclosure of the cumulative mileage registered on the odometer,

B) Disclosure that the actual mileage is unknown if the transferror knows that the odometer reading is different from different from the number of miles the vehicle has actually traveled.

(b) Mileage Statement Requirement for Licensing. - (1) A motor vehicle the ownership of which is transferred may not be licensed for use in a State unless the transferee, in submitting an application to a State for the title on which the license will be issued, includes with the application the transferor's title and, if that title contains the space referred to in paragraph (3)(A)(iii) of this subsection, a statement, signed and dated by the transferor, of the mileage disclosure required under subsection (a) of this section

So, as you see, doing so would be a violation of FEDERAL law, not something to be taken lightly.

In earlier times with mechanical odometers it was done, but not by spinning them backward, but rather forward. At 100,000 they reset to zero, so if you had one with 63,097 you went to zero, then forward to say, 30,152 and stopped.

Electronic ones are a whole different thing. Try to reset them, and the first digit turns black, and then you have to do a replacement which isn't cheap.

Answer 2

it is possible to change the odometer reading in a car, but not by hooking up a drill and running it backwards -- it would be easier to open up the gauge and manipulate the tumblers manually.

note that it is against federal law to change the odometer reading in a car under many circumstances.

Answer 3

the Matilda's Father is a dishonest car salesman.!!!

in real life,if You connect a drill to speedometer,doesn't go back.
do not tamper the electronic speedometer..It is dishonest.

Answer 4

About $4000.

Answer 5

it would be preety stupid to do that because if u do that and think ur gona sell the car and it happens to break down on the person u sold it to there gona suspect u tampered with the mileage and the car has used more miles than u turned back and plus the dealership has a record of the mileage

Answer 6

That hasn't been possible for a long time. Mechanical speedometers don't register in reverse. And if you wind the speedo all the way around, a "flag" drops to indicate that it has gone around the clock once already. Its even harder to cheat with a digital speedo.

Answer 7

Most newer cars have odometers that are tamper-resistant.
I suppose it is possible, but in may states this is a FELONY.

Answer 8

yes i was possible - i actually saw a device about 25 years ago - you hooked a drill to it and it doubled the speed in reverse- that guy closed up a long time ago.

Answer 9

Not on newer cars, the cars ECU holds that information so you would need some pretty serious computer skills to do it.

Answer 10

YES! Driver your car backwards.