Potential Odometer Rollback?
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Potential Odometer Rollback?
Hey yall, I'm looking at a 2002 LS430 with 150k miles for $6k. I went for a test drive, and overall it was very nice. The LS is like riding a cloud on the road. Steering wheel was tighter than normal, but no other complaints.
However, after the ride, I went to check for engine codes, but there was already something connected to the OBD2 port. It looked like some kind of OBD jumper (stupid me forgot to take a picture) was connected to it with cables routing into the underside of the lower dashboard. This was my first red flag. However this car also does have an aftermarket radio installed, so does that have to do anything with it? Lexus Link has also been removed from this vehicle, would the dealer have installed something in the OBD port for this service?
At home, I pulled up the Lexus service records by using the My Lexus trick, and I noticed a couple of discrepancies. From 7/24/2009 to 11/20/2009 did the customer really drive 1 mile? Or were the mechanic/service advisors just too lazy to check the actual mileage? Also, there is a rouge service from 2/26/2008 where the navigation screen was replaced, but at 93k miles? Either the Lexus website is glitchy, the Lexus dealer is lousy, or this car is indeed an odometer rollback.
I have attached a picture of the My Lexus website service history below.
However, after the ride, I went to check for engine codes, but there was already something connected to the OBD2 port. It looked like some kind of OBD jumper (stupid me forgot to take a picture) was connected to it with cables routing into the underside of the lower dashboard. This was my first red flag. However this car also does have an aftermarket radio installed, so does that have to do anything with it? Lexus Link has also been removed from this vehicle, would the dealer have installed something in the OBD port for this service?
At home, I pulled up the Lexus service records by using the My Lexus trick, and I noticed a couple of discrepancies. From 7/24/2009 to 11/20/2009 did the customer really drive 1 mile? Or were the mechanic/service advisors just too lazy to check the actual mileage? Also, there is a rouge service from 2/26/2008 where the navigation screen was replaced, but at 93k miles? Either the Lexus website is glitchy, the Lexus dealer is lousy, or this car is indeed an odometer rollback.
I have attached a picture of the My Lexus website service history below.
#2
Intermediate
Looks ok to me. I once drove a 2003 with 90K miles and it ran like a lawnmower. That is what a poorly maintained LS runs like. Odometer inconsistency if small is not a concern as people do make mistakes. Replacing Navi screen is not uncommon. I know I would not tolerate a bad Navi screen because I have to adjust climate control through the screen.
#4
Everything else looks linear, so maybe that 93771 was fat fingered by the technician or they did a quick glance at the Odometer and saw the 5 as a 9 as the characters are kind of similar looking, and should have been 53771?
#6
Instructor
Looks like Techs who can't type to me.
8/16/2012 - 74705
8/19/2012 - 74703 (3 days later but 2 miles less? <LOL>)
Mileage Rollback on these requires hacking the ECU & Instrument Cluster.
On the LS400 it was an EEPROM in the instrument cluster that could be removed and re-written.
Not sure what it is on the LS430.
8/16/2012 - 74705
8/19/2012 - 74703 (3 days later but 2 miles less? <LOL>)
Mileage Rollback on these requires hacking the ECU & Instrument Cluster.
On the LS400 it was an EEPROM in the instrument cluster that could be removed and re-written.
Not sure what it is on the LS430.
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FutureOwnr
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07-25-13 06:55 AM