I wouldn't totally trust carfax...
It only takes a few hours and a little technical savvy to swap the gauge cluster and if you did all of the maintenance yourself, the carfax would be empty. Even if the DMV reported mileage at inspection, what is stopping an undesirable from swapping the cluster before each inspection... I wonder if that black box thing records mileage separately...

 

I have observed over the years but more importantly very resently that dealers all over the country (viewed more 1000 Vettes on the internet sites) have the majority of older low mileage Vettes. Coincidence? Sorry don't believe in coincidence.
As I have learned from this forum's members and from a couple of Vette mechanics it is easy to alter the odometer reading in several ways.
I have used CarFax and AutoCheck as an imfornation source but certainly not the last word or a diffinitive resource , particulatly if the car is suspect by its condition. Example , I found a 1999 FRC in the LA, Ca area that had 48K , looked good and drove good. Carfax revealed 5 owners in 4 years plus a non descript lien in 2004 ( which could explain the 3 y/o repaint. The owner claimed not have any knowledge of the car's previous history. Very convienent I thought . I sent him a copy of the report after I returned home). He called to say he had no idea of the cars history but still was infactic that the car was good to him.
Thanks to everyone for their input on this subject.!!!
dD

 

As others have stated, check Carfax and then have the local dealer or a Forum member pull service records. If everything adds up it would satisfy me.

 

I saw a gauge cluster for sale and tbe seller said that for an additional $75.00 he would program in the miles on the odo. My thought - it can be changed!

 

May be correct with your dealer - but most large shops can do this without sending it out. I know - both my VERTS have 300 MPH and the dealer changed them (also talk to PaceThis - he can verify since he has a business for HUD's and many times the need for new clusters occurs).

As to CARFAX - should be called CARUNFAX.

There are way to many CARFAX reports that have been found to be incorrect. It is so easy to bypass these it is not funny.

Even if you have state inspections where they record the mileage - a $ or two to many inspection personnel will make sure that the mileage is what you want reported

If that doesn't work - in many states you can contest the mileage reported by the inspection stations - claim they wrote it down incorrectly - very few contest that.

If the vehicle is not serviced/repaired at the dealer - then there is little chance any information other than the date of sale will be in the CARUNFAX.

Even if the vehicle is serviced at the dealer - again a $ or two will many times result in a 'corrected' mileage report.

CARFAX has become a joke among used car dealers - like in the old days there are many ways of bypassing it - however it is a GREAT tool for them to insist to the potential customer that this vehicle has never had an accident - always be serviced on time - etc. etc. etc.

 

My recent experience after having done dozens of carfax reports over the last week or two, is that they seem very sketchy.

Several carfax reports say one owner when there appears to be title changes. Other reports show several years of consistent data in an orderly fashion then suddenly the last few years are missing? I have also looked at cars that were in collisions or repainted and nothing on the car fax.

As a matter of fact I haven't seen a single carfax report that had anything bad to say. WTF? Judging by the number of C5s you can find at auction, something fishy is going on...

I guess you just need to get out the magnifying glass and put the car up on a lift. Check all the seams and pannel edges for repaint... thanks carfax

-AL

 

carfax is a joke dont count on it for anything

what you should do is ask where he has his oil serviced and check the mileage reports with them.

 

Up the lazy river to the big house. Roll back the odo,, and you will have a reason for a extenced stay with full medical coverage.

If I found and could prove it,, I would probably drop a dime on the subject .

Jim

 

very easy with the right equipment. Check dealer maitenanace records and carfax to help determine mileage fraud.

 

Thats a

 

Agree with the above - with the right equipment, the mileage can be reset.

 

Ok, now you guys have me worried. In 3 days i am driving 600 mi. to pick up an 03 with 34k miles site unseen from a dealer. He has sent me a dozen pictures and a carfax showing 2 owners. I was looking forward to getting the car, now I am dreading finding some car that is worn out or repainted.

 

My '04 had a few flakey pixels on the DIC. They had to replace the gauge cluster to fix it under warranty. I took it into the shop one day, and they verified the problem and ordered a new cluster. A week later they installed it, and my mileage after that replacement was minus the week of driving. I don't know if they ordered it with the mileage, or if they didn't take good notes the morning they installed it. Anyhow, it was only a couple of hundred miles, so no big deal.

But yes, it can be altered.

 

Hey guys, all of this is true for ANY car, not just corvettes. It is way more important to take it for a test drive, put it through the paces, and get it up on a hoist!!! Keep in mind, there is a lot of aluminum in the C5 chassis, which when subjected to road salt, yields white corrosion. This makes the car appear WAY older than one might think. Then there is the matter of red rust on a few components. Also, look at the seat wear, and the gas/brake pedals for excessive wear...and don't overlook the front skid plate and air dam....these are telltale areas of how much respect the car has gotten over its lifetime. And look at the heads of screws, especially, the black finishes. To this date the auto industry does not have a good black finish for small screws. If you see lots of corrosion on the heads, the car has been in a hostile environment for extended periods. Look at the alternator surface for the same reactions. Compare the milage with these observations in the State you are buying it in. Arizona should have no roadsalt effects. Michigan has more than it needs. Always buy a 'winter stored' C5 if from the rustbelt. Mileage is somewhat meaningless, if you get my drift.

 

 

If you are concerned - call the previous owners (from the CARFAX info).

 

I don't know about on C5s, but the VATS system on my C4 died. When the local garage mechanic replaced it, the odometer went back to zero. The car was in real nice condition and could have easily been sold with the milage on the odo (around 50K less than noted when I sold it) as the actual mileage. I sold the car TMU (true mileage unknown) because I didn't want to be served three square meals inside four square walls. Fortunately I had all repair records since day one showing odometer readings up to that point and after it to corroberate my story and mileage. The buyer wanted to rebuild the engine and build the car for racing anyway so it didn't matter to him, but this is proof that it can be done.

 

three square meals inside four square walls.



that is a gem!