How to determine the real mileage of a car when buying

What is a VIN code
Is it possible to check the mileage of a car using the VIN code?
How to check mileage
Other ways to check mileage
Video instruction

A car belongs to the category of expensive purchases, and therefore citizens take their choice seriously. It is important not only to find a high-quality vehicle at the best price, but also that all information about it is truthful.

Sellers often use tricks to sell a car at the maximum price, including hiding a number of facts about it.

Before purchasing a used car, you should thoroughly study the history of the car and find out the actual mileage.

Also read the article:

How to check if a car is stolen

What is a VIN code

Thousands of cars are produced every day around the world. To avoid confusion, identification numbers have been introduced. A unique code is assigned to each vehicle leaving the assembly line. Today, the VIN code is required in two cases:

During the process of vehicle registration, that is, at the time of registration and registration of the car.
When concluding a car insurance contract.

Along with this, since the VIN code is unique, it is used to obtain information about the past and present of the car. By the number you can find out whether the car has been in an accident, whether it is pledged, and so on.

The identification number is stamped by the manufacturer on the car parts. Moreover, there is no single rule for placing VIN codes, that is, companies themselves decide where to place the combination. The number must be indicated in two places and duplicated in documents.

When buying a car, you should carefully check the codes indicated on the body and in the documents. If there are errors, you should refrain from the transaction, as there is a possibility that the papers are counterfeit.

Is it possible to check the mileage of a car using the VIN code?

Using the vehicle identification number, you can find out a lot about it. It is best to trust official databases, of which there are quite a lot today. If you check the car for everything, you can get comprehensive information. Key resources include:

Government services portal;
Traffic police website;
Autocode.

To check whether a car is pledged, you can use the federal notary chamber and the FSSP. For the second one, you will need not a VIN code, but the full name and date of birth of the owner of the vehicle.

Some of the above services allow checking the car's mileage. However, some options only work in certain regions.

Useful article on the topic:

How to check a car for registration in the traffic police database

How to check mileage

It is difficult to determine the actual mileage of a car, since sellers of used cars try to embellish the past of the car. And given that a number of services operate only in a limited number of entities, the situation becomes more complicated. Currently, there are several available ways to obtain reliable information. Let's take a closer look at them.

To Autocode

The Autocode website offers checking the history of a vehicle if it is registered in Moscow or the region. The presence of functionality is explained by the large volume of the secondary car market. The procedure requires the following information:

VIN code or state registration number;
STS for the car.

The process itself looks like this:

Go to the official website of the company. Within a few minutes, register on the portal, or, if you have a profile, log in to the system.

Enter the vehicle information provided above. In the left line you need to select the verification method by VIN code, since the default is the state registration number.

After entering the complete data, the site will display the result of the vehicle history. In particular, the mileage of the car will be indicated.

Please note that in this way, only those who purchase a car registered in the capital can check the mileage of a car using its VIN code for free.

In other regions, the option is not provided, and therefore the verification procedure before purchasing becomes more complicated.

It will not be possible to find out the mileage of a car by VIN code if it is not registered in the capital, even through an official request to the traffic police, since the department’s database does not contain such information about the vehicle.

On other services

There are no such high-quality services as Autocode for the capital in other regions. Therefore, verification will have to be done through several resources and indirect observations. Let's look at programs that allow you to find the necessary information about a car's mileage by vin:

The official website of the traffic police will provide information about accidents in which the car was involved, about all previous owners, and the like.
Autobot collects information from all existing resources and combines it on its website. Shows whether the car has a diagnostic card.
RCA is a database that unites all auto insurers. First of all, people turn to it to find out about the car’s accidents over the last year, but you can also request information about the indicators during the last technical inspection.

Checking the mileage of a car can also be done through an external condition assessment. Let us note several criteria that may suggest false information and the need for analysis:

Paint chips - mileage over 100,000 kilometers;
Worn edges of the driver's seat - from 50,000 kilometers;
Rust at the muffler outlet - at least 30,000 kilometers.

So, you can check the mileage of the car and the most important thing is to do it. If the seller deceives the buyer about the mileage, then there may be other understatements. As a result, the buyer will receive a car suitable only for recycling, but will not be able to get the money back.

A qualitative analysis of a vehicle can only be carried out by an experienced specialist . If you do not have sufficient knowledge in this area, then it is better to trust online services or contact service center professionals.

You might be interested in the article:

How to check your driver's license online using the traffic police database

Photographer in Sochi

In each region you can find services that can quickly and inexpensively replace the shutter unit on your camera. However, when buying used photographic equipment, you always want to know the remaining resource to plan possible investments, even if this resource is conditional. In this article I will talk about ways to determine shutter travel, including in Canon cameras.

First way:

In almost all Nikon camera models and in some Canon models, data on the number of shutter releases is recorded in the photo metadata. Thus, the easiest way to see the shutter mileage without using analyzing programs is to get into the metadata through the save files of the settings of photo editors Lightroom, Adobe Bridge, etc. when working with Camera raw.

As soon as we open the file in Camera raw, the program generates a file with the extension “.xmp”. By default, this file is stored in the same folder as the photo. Open this file using notepad and look for the line “ImageNumber”. The number on the line will indicate the total number of pictures you took. Just don’t upload photos that were taken a long time ago, otherwise you will be pleasantly surprised at how few frames you clicked)).

If you find this method more tedious than using online services, then you can simply download the “raw” file from Nikon, Canon, Sony or Pentax cameras, for example on the sites:

https://www.camerashuttercount.com/,

https://shuttercounter.com/,

https://tools.science.si/,

https://www.nikonshuttercount.com/…

and wait for the value to be output. Such online utilities use values contained in the metadata of the analyzed file. But if the above methods do not give results, then read the next paragraph.

Second way:

In a number of cameras, including those from Canon, data on the number of shutter releases is not written into the file metadata, but is stored in the memory of the corresponding block of the device. In this case, the two above methods for determining mileage will be useless. Programs are needed that directly access the gate control unit. This involves connecting the camera to a computer via a USB cable.

— One of these free utilities is EOSCameraInfo. This program only works with Canon cameras.

Two versions of the program can be downloaded here: https://yadi.sk/d/hsifh3pWQoLe2A and https://yadi.sk/d/j4KQcDfT-Z9O-Q.

However, it must be taken into account that with the release of new camera models, it is necessary to use the current version of the program that supports the new products.

Version 1.4 of this program, which I uploaded to Yandex disk in the download link, supports the following camera models:

EOS 40D
EOS DIGITAL REBEL Xsi/450D/ Kiss X2
EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS/ 1000D/ KISS F
EOS 50D
EOS 5D Mark II
EOS Kiss X3/EOS REBEL T1i/EOS 500D
EOS 7D
EOS-1D Mark IV
EOS Kiss X4/EOS REBEL T2i/EOS 550D
EOS 60D
EOS Kiss X5/EOS REBEL T3i/EOS 600D
EOS Kiss X50/EOS REBEL T3/EOS 1100D
EOS 5D Mark III
EOS 1D X
EOS Kiss X6i/EOS 650D/EOS REBEL T4i
EOS M
EOS 6D
EOS-1D C
EOS Kiss X7i/EOS 700D/EOS REBEL T5i
EOS Kiss X7/EOS 100D/EOS REBEL SL1
EOS 70D
EOS M2
EOS Kiss X70/EOS 1200D/EOS REBEL T5/EOS Hi
EOS 7D Mark II

— Another free utility for determining mileage: SetupEosInfo

Download link: https://yadi.sk/d/Twehs9jO2dkgqQ or https://www.astrojargon.net/files/misc/setupeosinfo.exe. This program has a smaller number of supported models. The program does not support new models of Canon cameras, since the last update of the program was made by the developer on 06/08/2009. According to the developer, the program works with Canon DIGIC III/IV SLR cameras with the exception of the “1D” series. This means that EOSInfo will display the shutter counter for the 40D, 50D, 450D, 500D and 1000D. it will also show the shutter counter for the 5DMkII.

— Another program: EOSMSG

EOSMSG Version 1.0

Version EOSMSG 4.5

Links for downloading versions: https://yadi.sk/d/_F3UYrnG3p_r8w and https://yadi.sk/d/n-14t3bYkluTIA, official developer website https://www.eosmsg.com/. The program supports almost all models of Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony cameras and is constantly updated with the release of new models. However, in the latest versions of the program, information about the quantitative indicator of shutter activations is paid. At the same time, earlier versions of the program remain free, but do not support all camera models. When installing the program from my link to Yandex disk, it is important not to make updates, then the program will not ask for money for the service.

Free version 1.0 supports the following camera models:

EOS 40D
EOS DIGITAL REBEL Xsi/450D/ Kiss X2
EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS/ 1000D/ KISS F
EOS 50D
EOS 5D Mark II
EOS Kiss X3/EOS REBEL T1i/EOS 500D
EOS 7D
EOS-1D Mark IV
EOS Kiss X4/EOS REBEL T2i/EOS 550D
EOS 60D
EOS Kiss X5/EOS REBEL T3i/EOS 600D
EOS Kiss X50/EOS REBEL T3/EOS 1100D
EOS 5D Mark III
EOS 1D X
EOS Kiss X6i/EOS 650D/EOS REBEL T4i

The free version 4.5 of this program supports a much larger number of camera models, so it’s easier to write Canon camera models that are not supported:

EOS R
EOS RP
EOS M3
EOS M5
EOS M6
EOS M10
EOS M100
EOS M50
EOS 250D
EOS 90D

When installing the program from my link to Yandex disk, it is important not to make updates.

— I can’t help but share my favorite — the free version of the program: Tornado Shutter Counter.

Its difference from all others lies in the combination of accessibility, simplicity, portability of use, information content and support for most cameras from different manufacturers (Canon, Nikon) with a relatively prompt update of support for the latest models. The free version can be downloaded from the developer’s website: https://tornadosw.com/tornado-scf.php. When downloading, you need to select the free version and indicate your email to which the download link will be sent. Or you can download the installer here: https://yadi.sk/d/16I90fiWeryvrA

The free version supports the following Canon cameras:

EOS 100D / REBEL SL1 / Kiss X7
EOS 200D / REBEL SL2 / Kiss X9
EOS 500D / REBEL T1i / Kiss X3
EOS 550D / REBEL T2i / Kiss X4
EOS 600D / REBEL T3i / Kiss X5
EOS 650D / REBEL T4i / Kiss X6i
EOS 700D / REBEL T5i / Kiss X7i
EOS 750D / REBEL T6i / Kiss X8i
EOS 760D / REBEL T6s / 8000D
EOS 800D / REBEL T7i / Kiss X9i
EOS 1100D / REBEL T3 / Kiss X50
EOS 1200D / RBEL T5 / Kiss X70
EOS 1300D / REBEL T6 / Kiss X80
EOS 2000D / REBEL T7 / Kiss X90
EOS 4000D / REBEL T100 / 3000D
EOS 50D
EOS 60D
EOS 60Da
EOS 70D
EOS 80D
EOS 6D
EOS 6D Mark II
EOS 7D
EOS 7D Mark II
EOS 77D/9000D
EOS 5D Mark II
EOS 5D Mark III
EOS 5D Mark IV
EOS 5Ds
EOS 5Ds R
EOS-1D Mark IV
EOS-1D C
EOS-1D X
EOS-1D X Mark II

The following Nikon cameras:

D3000
D3100
D3200
D3300
D3400
D3500
D5000
D5100
D5200
D5300
D5500
D5600
D90
D7000
D7100
D7200
D7500
D300
D300S
D500
D600
D610
D700
D750
D800
D800E
D810
D810A
D850
D3
D3S
D3X
D4
D4S
D5
Df

In addition, the program shows the number of errors that occurred in the camera and the number of times the mirror was lowered, which allows you to more accurately assess the wear of the element. The program has options for working on different operating systems and does not require permanent installation. All you need to do is connect the camera to your computer and launch the application.

— Another program, although less informative than the previous one: Free Shutter Counter

Download link https://yadi.sk/d/R0IYEa8YOl14rA, link to the developer’s website: https://freeshuttercount.com/.

The program determines the mileage of Canon, Nikon and Sony camera models, and in the program you can choose to read information from the shutter units or from “exif.”, in my opinion it is very convenient. In version 1.53. supported:

Canon:

1D
C
1D X
1D MARK III
1D Mark IV
7D Mark II
7D
5D Mark III
5D Mark II
6D
70D
60D
50D
40D
700D (Rebel T5i)
650D (Rebel T4i)
600D (Rebel T3i)
550D (Rebel T2i)
500D (Rebel T1i)
450D (Rebel XSi)
100D (Rebel SL1)
1300D (Rebel T6)
1200D (Rebel T5)
1100D (Rebel T3)
1000D (Rebel XS)

Nikon:

D3
D3s
D3x
D40
D40x
D4
D4s
D5
D50
D60
D70
D70s
D80
D90
D200
D300
D300s
D500
D600
D610
D700
D750
D800
D800E
D810
D850
D3000
D3100
D3200
D3300
D3400
D5000
D5100
D5200
D5300
D5500
D5600
D7000
D7100
D7200
D7500

Sony:

a9
a7r2
a72
a7s2
a7r
a7s
a7
a6500
a6300
a6000
a5100
a5000
a99II
a77II
NEX-7
NEX-6
NEX-5T
NEX-5R
NEX-5N
NEX-5
NEX-3
NEX-3N
A77M2
A77
A65
A58
A57
A550
A55
A37
A330
A290

— I can mention one more program: ShutterCheck

image taken from: https://netraptor.org/pc/835719094/shuttercheck

The program supports all Canon cameras:

1D Mark IV, 1D X, 1D X Mark II, 1D C, 5DS, 5DS R, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark IV, 6D, 6D Mark II, 7D, 7D Mark II, 40D, 50D, 50D RETINA , 60D, 60Da, 60D RETINA, 70D, 77D, 80D, 90D, 100D, 200D, 200D Mark II, 250D, 450D, 500D, 550D, 600D, 650D, 700D, 750D, 760D, 800D, 10 00D, 1100D, 1200D, 1300D, 1500D, 2000D, 3000D, 4000D, 8000D, 9000D, R, Ra, RP, M6 Mark II, M50;

Rebel SL1, SL2, SL3, XS, XSi, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5, T5i, T6, T6i, T6s, T7, T7i, T100;

Kiss X2, X3, X4, X5, X6i, X7, X7i, X8i, X9, X9i, X10, F, X50, X70, X80, X90, M, and is constantly updated by the developer. But it has two drawbacks: it is paid - it costs about $5 and is developed only for macOS 10.11 El Capitan or later.

To conclude this note, I’ll add that the ability to check the mileage of the latest camera models is usually implemented in paid applications. Developers of free utilities, alas, are not so efficient, but this is only a matter of time.

If you liked the note or found it useful, leave a comment...

Other ways to check mileage

Checking the actual mileage of a car can also be done by indirect methods . For example, it is worth requesting a current MTPL policy. The fact is that insurers do not sell policies without a diagnostic card, and it includes information about mileage. The information is duplicated in the document itself.

If the seller refuses to show OSAGO, this is a reason to be wary.

To find out about the mileage of the car, you can contact the service center. But, if the readings were underestimated by the pros, then the equipment will not establish this fact. That is, the attempt will be pointless. Although, in some cases, kilometer cleaners do not pay attention to the internal memory, so it is possible to restore the information. The cost of verification does not exceed 500 rubles.

External inspection of the vehicle is the least reliable way to check:

Firstly , the car could be operated carefully and carefully.
Secondly , cars are prepared for sale by undergoing cosmetic repairs. Using indirect signs, only experienced auto mechanics determine mileage.

Data that can be learned from code

The database of manufacturers of most cars permanently contains the most accurate data about where and when the car was produced.

For example, the VW and BMW database contains the following data:

year and country where the car was produced;
dealer company number;
simple equipment;
the date it was delivered to the buyer.

In addition, all work performed on the car at the service center can be encrypted. It is also important that at the time of contacting the dealer, he reads all the mileage data and enters them into his own database.

This means that if you have the code, you can ask the dealer for the most accurate information about the selected vehicle.

Video instruction

Finding out the real mileage of a car by VIN code is not so easy. This is largely due to the tricks that car sellers go to in order to inflate the price of the car. In practice, there are a number of services that make it possible to comprehensively study the history of a car.

The easiest service for residents of the capital will be the Autocode service. People from other regions have the right to use other resources to obtain information, as well as conduct analysis on their own through examination or diagnostics. The actual mileage of a car is an important indicator that reflects the wear and tear of the vehicle and, as a result, possible problems.

Will a car inspection allow us to determine the mileage?

The age of a car always reveals the condition of its parts, interior, and often even the odometer itself. If the seller decided to save money and turned to “non-masters,” it probably won’t take long to look for signs that the readings were twisted. What should a buyer look at?

Odometer. The most obvious sign that the mileage is incorrect is the numbers on the odometer are uneven. If there are white spaces between the numbers, this is also a sign of dishonesty of the seller (although this sign rarely appears). The buyer should also inspect the head to which the device is attached - if it is cleaned to a shine and polished, it means that it has already been “worked on.”

Pedals. If the pedals are worn out to such an extent that the rubber lining on them is not visible, and the seller claims that the car has barely exchanged fifty dollars, obviously, you will have to choose who to believe - the seller or your own eyes. As a rule, pedals are worn down to metal when the mileage approaches “hundreds”. Rubber pads can also be replaced - so “rubber bands” shining like gloss should also alert you. If the seller made a replacement (read: financial expenses), it means he wanted to hide something. But what?

Sticker when replacing the timing belt . The buyer should look under the hood of the car - this is where the sticker is usually placed indicating that the timing belt has been changed. The sticker shows how many kilometers the car has already covered. If the number 100,000 is there, and the seller “plows his line”, claiming that he drove the car “just nothing,” you can safely throw accusations of deception in his face.

The condition of the steering wheel, seat upholstery, buttons. If the steering wheel is leather, the seller is unlikely to replace it. Firstly, this is a too expensive procedure, and secondly, the effect is very doubtful - they won’t be able to change it “to the original”, which means that an experienced motorist will detect the forgery. As a rule, varnish and paint peel off from leather seats between 100,000 and 110,000 km. If the upholstery is completely worn down to holes, it makes sense to suspect that the car has passed the “two hundred” mark. Inspecting the buttons with pictograms is another way to check the actual mileage of a car. The designs on the buttons are quite durable. If they start to wear out, the mileage is definitely not less than 150,000 km - a motorist won’t press the buttons just for fun, out of “nothing to do.”

Sometimes the easiest way to determine the actual mileage of a car when purchasing is to find out the year of manufacture of the car and calculate it. On average, a car travels 10-20 thousand km per year. If the buyer suspects (or knows for sure) that the car was “taxed”, he should take into account completely different figures - 40-50 thousand per year. The annual rate must be multiplied by the number of years since graduation. If the car was released in 2006, and there are only 50,000 km on the odometer, there is reason to believe that the seller is deceiving.

Checking by approximate calculation does not always give reliable results. It is quite possible that the seller used the car only to take his family to the dacha, and decided to sell it as unnecessary. Then the mileage can really be minimal.

The Roadgid S6 Pro auto scanner is perfect for checking the mileage of some car brands. Using such a device is very simple: just connect the adapter to the OBD II connector and launch the mobile application - and information about the mileage will appear on the smartphone screen. Special software for Android and Windows is included with the auto scanner. Supported OBD II protocols are published on the Roadgid website. On the same portal you can order a DVR with a radar detector and GPS informant Roadgid X5.