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ODOMETER FRAUD IIUMOI® OffPGSlTOPY JUL 2 5 2005 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URCANA CHAMPAIGN Illinois law protects car buyersfrom the illegal prac- tice ofodometer-rollback, concealing a car’s true mileage byturning back ordisconnecting the odometer. The law recognizesthattrue mileage isan impor- tant indicatorofa vehicle’s condition and reflects a vehicle’s anticipated reliability and probabilityofcost- ly repairs. The law prohibitsodometertampering and requires anyone who sells a motorvehicle to disclosethe accuracyofits odometer reading. All sellersofa — motorvehicle are subjectto the law private citi- zens as well as cardealers. This brochure outlines general guidelinestofollow when purchasing a vehiclefrom an individual ora dealer. For more information, contactone ofthe Secretary ofState Department ofPolice offices listed on the backofthis brochure. Jesse White Illinois Secretary ofState < \ OdometerCertification Chapter625 ILCS 5/3-112.1 The law requires a written mileage disclosure statement forall vehicles, exceptvehicleswith a gross vehicle weightof 16,000 pounds or more, vehicles 10 years old on olderand vehicles manufactured without an odometer. i Thesellermustprovidethepurchaserwitha writtenstatementoftheregisteredmileage. Thestatementmustbecompletedpriortothe saleandinclude: • Odometer reading atthe time ofthe sale/transfer • Date ofthe sale/transfer • Seller’s name, address and signature • Complete vehicle description • Vehicle identification number(VIN) • Purchaser’s name, address and signature 3SH.765 STX purchasingfroma Dealer An Illinois licensed vehicle dealer must provide the follow- ing: • Bill ofsale • Odometerstatement • Copyof IllinoisTax Form Purchasingfroma Non-Dealer Everything that appliesto a licensed used vehicle dealer also appliesto a private seller, exceptfor providing a bill ofsale and an IllinoisTax Form. InspecttheVehicle — • Odometer make sure it progresses properly. • Checkthe brakes, steering, alignmentand acceleration. • Inspectthe tires. Low-mileage vehiclestypically have the original tires. • Check batteries, hoses, clamps and belts. • Lookforexcessive interiorwear: seats, floor mats and brake pedal. UsedCarDuyingTips • Have a qualified mechanicexamine the vehicle. This may help avoid unexpected repaircosts. • Neversign blank documents.An unscrupulous dealer may complete the documentto his benefitonly. — • Reviewthe title The vehicle’s current mileage should be greaterthan the mileage shown on the title. Alterations oreraser marks invalidate the title. NEVER purchase a vehicle with an altered title. Ifthe dealer does not have the title, do not purchase the vehicle until a title is provided. WhatYouShouldKnow • Make sure the seller’s identification matches the name on the title. • Checkthe meeting location to be sure it is a permanent location, not a temporary meeting place. • Verifythe telephone numberofthe seller. Unlisted numbers or pager numbers are difficultto trace should problems arise with the vehicle. • Determinethe reason the vehicle is being sold: family financial hardship, fast cash, mechanical problems. • Verifythatthe issue date on the title coincides with the seller’s reason fordisposing ofthe vehicle. • Pay attention to the seller’s story. Inconsistencies often indicate illegal sales. • Comparethevehicletoasimilarmodelfrom anotherseller. Ifyou areavictimofodometerfraud Contactan attorneyto discuss youroptions involving the person responsible forthe fraud. According to Illinois law (Chapter625 ILCS 5/3-112.1), a person may be awarded $1,500 orthree timesthe amount ofdamages plus courtcosts and attorneyfees in fraud cases. The SecretaryofState DepartmentofPolice can investi- gate a criminal complaintfiled againsta person accused offraudulent practices. Formoreinformation SOS Police District#1 103 W. Roosevelt Rd. • Villa Park, IL60181 630-693-0551 SOS Police District#2 4501 E. State St. • Rockford, IL61108 815-987-7560 SOS Police District#3 2719 S. 11th St. • Springfield, IL62703 217-785-5486 SOS Police District#4 220 S. 12th St. • Mt. Vernon, IL62864 618-244-8343 SOS Police District#4A 400 W. Main St. • Belleville, IL 62220 618-236-8765 'i I WWW.OfBERDRIVEILLINOIS.COM — — PrintedbyauthorityoftheStateofIllinois.May2005 5M SOSDOP-123.6