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Does driving in reverse take miles off?
I’ve got a really old Ford Focus with almost 200,000 miles on it. I want to sell it, but I’m afraid no one will buy it since it has so many miles. Does driving in reverse take miles off?
Melanie Johnson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I love a Ford Focus—it’s a reliable, fuel-efficient, durable car. Heck, maybe I should buy yours? But no, driving in reverse does not take miles off your car. On older cars, it was possible to alter the odometer to lower the mileage on older cars, but these days, cars have electronic odometers that are harder to tamper with.
Altering the mileage on a car is illegal and you could face strict federal penalties for intentionally trying to deceive a potential buyer into thinking they are purchasing a vehicle with fewer miles than it actually has.
Penalties for odometer fraud include:
- Fines up to $10,000
- Payment of damages to the person you defrauded
- Up to three years in a federal prison
It’s best to accept your car’s high mileage and price it accordingly. Maybe think of your car’s mileage like wrinkles on a face—full of wisdom and stories of the road. Someone will want your car as-is! No need to mess with the odometer.
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