By claude on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 08:18 am: Edit

Hey guys I am about to buy a 1997 Discovery from a dealer but I feel the odometer may have been either stopped or rolled back at some time due to other wear signs.

Where can I find out on the engine whether the odometer has been rolled back or stopped. Is there another source? Is there a fuse that can be pulled to stop the odometer? etc.
Thanks,

Claude

By mrbieler on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 09:40 am: Edit

Have you run the VIN#? There are resources on line to do that. Carfax wants $29.95+/- for one month's worth of unlimited VIN# checks. If your looking t buying a car, that's a good resource to start with.

When the vehicle is smogged, and in some states gets a yearly/bi-yearly inspection, mileage is noted and recorded by the DMV. It will also record any reported accidents, etc.

Thats an easy place to check first. Over 75% of the RR Classics I have looked at buying in the last 4 weeks have had odometer rollback and misrepresented mileage. Pretty scary.

By Bill Gill (Bluegill) on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 01:22 pm: Edit

Dealer should have maintenance records on vehicle - have you reviewed any records? If the dealer has no records on the Disco and they are selling it "as is", I'd back away slowly...

If you find that a dealer has rolled back odo (and you're sure you have the facts straight), please post the dealer name EVERYWHERE...

By mrbieler on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 01:35 pm: Edit

Didn't read the word "dealer" when I first responded. A 1997 should generally be a "1 owner" vehicle. Is it an end of lease sale? Trade in? A vehicle that new should still have most or all records regardless.

What "wear signs" are you seeing that has raised your question?

By roverDLR on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 02:33 pm: Edit

If you are buying at the dealer, that vehicle has to be CERTIFIED as long as the odo reads less than 60,000 miles. If its not CERTIFIED, dont buy it, find one that is. also, what are you paying for it?

By Claude on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 02:49 pm: Edit

I guess the main thing is I am buying it from a dealer...used.... carfax is but so reliable and so are state records. any other way of telling>

By Bill Gill (Bluegill) on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 03:45 pm: Edit

One way of telling is to ask the dealer point blank. When he says "Of course not", ask him to back it up with the service records. This thing is only 4 years old - all the info should be there (unless someone drove it onto his lot as trade-in with no history).

By Will on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 09:31 pm: Edit

Is there anywhere you can find out on the engine guys...I have an similar situation right now.

Will

By steven on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 09:46 pm: Edit

Where in the hell are you people buying these Discos? Buy them from a Rover Centre. Heres what happens, Discos get leased in 1997 and 1998, in 2000 and 2001 they come off lease. The leasing dealer has first right of refusal on all these cars. Obviously, for that reason they only keep the cleanest ones with the best service records. It only makes sense. The rest of them (the beat up ragges on ones) go to auction where they are bought by wholesalers. they then move the Discos out to your local used car guy. I know I dont want to buy an "unknown" Disco from a guy who thinks its "All Wheel Drive". And, no, the Certified used cars at dealers are not overpriced, especially now since the SUV market is over-flooded with mid-90s trucks. Plus, the dealers have cool showrooms.

By mrbieler on Thursday, April 26, 2001 - 10:16 pm: Edit

"other wear signs" & "I have an similar situation right now" don't exactly help explain what your looking at. What exactly is causing you guys to question the mileage/condition on the vehicle? You want specific answers but your questions are vague.

If you are not confident with the vehicle and the deal, walk away. There's your solution. No one is making you buy a car/truck you're not confident in.

By JIM on Friday, April 27, 2001 - 05:40 am: Edit

Claude,

Looks like no one has a clue to what you are asking about the odometer/engine readings. I have heard of engines having some sort of measurement device as well but I am unaware of where it is on the disco.


JIM