How to spot a tampered odometer (mileage) on a used car

Last updated · Cada car guides

The surest sign of a rolled-back odometer is mileage that does not match the paperwork: service receipts, the Japanese auction sheet or export certificate, or the pre-export inspection report. Physical clues are a worn steering wheel, gear knob, pedals or driver's seat on a car showing low mileage, and a diagnostic scan that finds a different figure stored in other modules. If the history cannot be checked, price the car as if the mileage is unknown.

Key facts
Best evidenceDated service records and import documents with mileage
ImportsCompare the auction sheet, export certificate and inspection report
Physical cluesWear on wheel, pedals, seat, gear knob
ElectronicMileage stored in other modules read by a diagnostic scan

Checks to run

  1. List every mileage figure you can find with its date: receipts, auction sheet, inspection report, previous adverts.
  2. Check the figures only ever go up.
  3. Work out the average kilometres per year. A very low average on an older car is a reason to ask for proof.
  4. Ask a garage to read stored mileage from the engine and gearbox modules.

Common questions

Does NTSA record mileage?

The Traffic Act requires the seller to give the recorded mileage when notifying NTSA of a transfer, so transfer records can help. They are not a full mileage history.

On Cada

Sources

  1. KEBS: Public notice on validation of used motor vehicles (KS 1515, July 2025)
  2. Kenya Law: Traffic Act (Cap. 403)

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; confirm with the authority named in the sources before you pay.