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How to Report Vehicle Odometer Fraud

By Viola Travers · Practical Services & Civic Guide

Where to Report Odometer Fraud

Odometer fraud — rolling back the mileage on a vehicle's odometer to hide how many miles it has actually traveled — is a federal crime. You report it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which investigates these cases and can pursue criminal charges against dealers or private sellers.

You can file a complaint online through NHTSA's SaferCars.gov website, by phone at 1-888-327-4236, or by mail to NHTSA's Complaints Center. You do not need a lawyer to file, and there is no cost. NHTSA accepts complaints from anyone — the person who bought the car, a mechanic who discovered the fraud, or a family member.

If you bought the car from a licensed dealer in South Carolina, you can also report the dealer to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles' Dealer Licensing Section. The DMV can suspend or revoke the dealer's license if the complaint is substantiated. For private-party sales, the DMV has less authority, but NHTSA still investigates.

Key Takeaways

  • Report odometer fraud to NHTSA at SaferCars.gov, 1-888-327-4236, or by mail — this is the federal agency that investigates these crimes.
  • Gather evidence before you report: the odometer reading when you bought the car, the mileage shown on the title or bill of sale, service records, and any written communication with the seller.
  • If you bought from a South Carolina dealer, also file a complaint with the DMV's Dealer Licensing Section, which can revoke the dealer's license.
  • NHTSA can investigate even if the fraud happened years ago, but the sooner you report it, the sooner they can act.
  • Reporting does not automatically get you a refund, but it creates an official record and may support a civil lawsuit against the seller.

What Evidence You Need to Gather

Before you contact NHTSA, collect anything that shows the mileage discrepancy. Start with the vehicle's title or bill of sale — this document shows the odometer reading at the time of sale. Compare it to the current mileage or the mileage shown on service records, inspection reports, or previous advertisements if the car was listed online.

If you took the car to a mechanic or had it inspected before purchase, that report may show the mileage at that time. Insurance documents, registration paperwork, and any emails or text messages with the seller about the car's condition are also useful. If the seller claimed the car had low mileage in writing, keep that too — it strengthens the case that the fraud was intentional.

You do not need perfect documentation to file a report. NHTSA investigates based on what you provide, and they have access to title records and dealer databases that may show additional evidence of the fraud.

How NHTSA Investigates Odometer Fraud

When you file a complaint, NHTSA assigns it a case number and logs it in their database. They review the information you provide and cross-reference it with title records, service history databases, and other complaints about the same vehicle or seller. If a pattern emerges — for example, the same dealer has multiple complaints — NHTSA prioritizes the investigation.

NHTSA can subpoena records from dealers, repair shops, and auction houses. They can also contact previous owners to verify the vehicle's actual mileage history. If they find evidence of intentional fraud, they can refer the case to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, or they can pursue a civil penalty against the seller.

The investigation timeline varies. Some cases move quickly if the evidence is clear; others take months or longer if NHTSA needs to gather records from multiple sources. You can check the status of your complaint online using your case number.

Reporting to the South Carolina DMV

If you bought the car from a licensed dealer, file a separate complaint with the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles' Dealer Licensing Section. You can submit a complaint online through the DMV website or by mail. Include the dealer's name, license number (if you have it), the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the same evidence you gathered for NHTSA.

The DMV investigates dealer complaints independently of NHTSA. If they find that the dealer knowingly rolled back the odometer or failed to disclose known mileage, they can suspend or revoke the dealer's license. This does not directly refund your money, but it removes a fraudulent dealer from the market and may support your own civil claim.

Private sellers are not licensed by the DMV, so the DMV cannot take action against them directly. However, NHTSA still investigates, and you may have civil remedies through small claims court or a lawsuit.

Your Options for Getting Money Back

Reporting the fraud to NHTSA and the DMV does not automatically result in a refund. These agencies investigate the crime and can punish the seller, but they do not handle money disputes. To recover what you paid, you have two main options: small claims court or a civil lawsuit.

In small claims court, you can sue the seller for the difference between what you paid and what the car is actually worth with its true mileage. South Carolina's small claims limit is $7,500. You will need to prove the fraud — bring your evidence of the mileage discrepancy, the title, service records, and any written statements from the seller. You do not need a lawyer, and the filing fee is modest.

If the amount exceeds $7,500 or you want to pursue a larger claim, you can file a civil lawsuit in district court. Many attorneys handle these cases on a contingency basis, meaning they take a percentage of what you recover rather than charging an upfront fee. Consult with a local attorney to discuss your options.

What Happens After You Report

After you file with NHTSA, you will receive a case number and confirmation that your complaint has been logged. NHTSA will not contact you for updates unless they need additional information. You can check your case status online by entering your case number on SaferCars.gov.

If NHTSA refers the case to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, you may be contacted as a witness. If they pursue a civil penalty, you will not be directly involved in that process, but the outcome becomes part of the public record.

Reporting does not prevent you from also suing the seller in civil court. In fact, an NHTSA investigation or DMV finding can strengthen your civil case by establishing that the fraud occurred. Keep copies of all correspondence with NHTSA and the DMV for your records and to share with your attorney if you decide to pursue a lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take NHTSA to investigate?

There is no set timeline. Simple cases with clear evidence may be resolved in weeks; complex cases involving multiple vehicles or dealers can take several months or longer. You can check your case status online using your case number.

Can I report a private seller, or only a dealer?

You can report anyone — a dealer, a private seller, an auction house, or a wholesaler. NHTSA investigates all odometer fraud regardless of who committed it. The DMV can only take action against licensed dealers in South Carolina.

What if I bought the car years ago and just discovered the fraud?

Report it anyway. NHTSA investigates odometer fraud regardless of when it occurred. However, for a civil lawsuit, South Carolina's statute of limitations may apply — typically three years from the date of purchase, though this can vary. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.

Will reporting get me a refund?

Not directly. NHTSA and the DMV investigate and can penalize the seller, but they do not handle refunds. You must pursue a civil claim through small claims court or a lawsuit to recover money. The NHTSA investigation can support your case.

What if the seller claims the odometer was broken and they did not know the true mileage?

That is a defense the seller might raise, but it does not excuse the fraud if they did not disclose the broken odometer or the unknown mileage to you. Report what happened, provide your evidence, and let NHTSA determine whether the fraud was intentional. Intentional fraud carries harsher penalties than negligence.