Interpretation ID: nht73-5.29

DATE: 10/24/73

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Lawrence R. Schneider; NHTSA

TO: Franklin J. Kivel

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Your request for information on odometer laws was forwarded to us by the Office of Consumer Affairs.

There is at this time no Federal law that requires odometers to be sealed. The Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, which we administer, prohibits altering, resetting, or disconnecting odometers except for lawful repair. It does not, however, require sealed odometers and automobile manufacturers do not normally seal odometer units. Some manufacturers incoporate anti-tampering features which stain the odometer drum with ink or that destroy its gears if an attempt is made to reverse its direction.

The Act does require disclosure of a vehicle's actual and recorded mileage by a seller before its transfer to a buyer. We are presently conducting a study of the Act's effectiveness.

ENC. - REGULATION & ACT