Blount County man discovers odometer rolled back on recently-bought used car

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A Blount County man who bought a used car found out that the odometer had been rolled back after driving it for a few months.

When Brad Finger bought his car in January, he was thrilled with its low mileage. It wasn’t until last month that he found out there had been odometer tampering two years before he purchased the car. Odometer fraud affects consumers in two ways. First, people may pay considerably more than the vehicle is worth. Second, people believe they purchased a relatively safe, low-mileage vehicle when the vehicle is actually high mileage and potentially unsafe.

Finger had no idea when he bought this 2015 KIA Forte in January that the odometer had been rolled back. 74,600 miles are registered on the odometer today after seven months of driving the car.

“I thought I was buying a car with 64,000 miles on it,” said Finger.

Finger paid $15,000 for what he believed was a low-mileage vehicle. The odometer disclosure statement issued by the dealer said there were just under 64,000 miles. After learning about a recall on his car, Finger took it to a KIA dealer in July. That’s when he was shown a Carfax document that included surprising information about his KIA.

“They were showing me the car had something over 200,000 miles on it. I argued with them thinking that was a mistake,” said Finger.

There was no mistake. The Carfax report indicates 228,000 miles piled up in October 2021 and then astonishingly only 56,000 miles five months later in March 2022. The report also has a section highlighted in red, warning about a potential odometer rollback.

“It drastically reduces the value of the vehicle and it’s not what I agreed to,” said Finger.

He brought the discrepancy to the attention of the car dealer’s manager two weeks ago. In a text, the manager said he was “aware of the Carfax and Auto Check reports” and concluded he “could find no wrongdoing from either the auction nor ourselves.”

“He said as far as they were concerned, the matter was settled and did not offer to do anything,” said Finger.

He then went to the Maryville Police Department to report the issue. The conclusion of the police investigation confirms that the vehicle’s odometer had been altered. 6 News suggested that he also contact the state and report the issue. He did.

“We have opened an investigation into this matter about what is going on,” said Kevin Walters from the Department of Commerce and Insurance.

He shared that Finger’s complaint was forwarded and is being investigated by the State Department of Safety.

Today, Finger has a different car. The dealership’s CEO called early last week and gave Finger the option of a refund or another car of equal value. This took place just after the Department of Safety investigators had talked with Brad.

“They acted very quickly and went to the dealership to investigate,” said Finger. “As soon as they left, I got a call from the CEO and he wanted to make things right.”

Finger is pleased with this 2019 Ford Fusion. This time he made sure there was a detailed Carfax report from the dealer with an accurate odometer reading.

“I recommend anybody buying a used car to get that Carfax,” said Finger.

Tennessee law requires the accurate reporting of mileage for used motor vehicles that are sold or traded. Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows more than 450,000 vehicles are sold each year with false odometer readings. Additional research conducted by Carfax indicates, that in Tennessee alone, there are roughly 10,000 vehicles on our roadways with altered odometers.

To be on the safe side when purchasing a used car, get a Carfax report, they’re not that expensive. Fortunately, Finger contacted the right people and the dealership’s owner made it right.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.