One car I once owned was taken into a shop that reported to CARFAX for a emissions check, and the mileage was 113,000 but someone transposed the digits to 131,000 and the erroneous mileage figure was on the CARFAX forever. It was a clerical error.

So, mistakes can be made that way. Another way mileage can be checked is by looking at repair records for receipts of consecutive dates and mileage on them.

Not necessarily hanky panky. If the odometer broke and was replaced, after some time, the mileage might be incorrect.

It's illegal to "clock" the mileage, and sometimes it can be detected by a little mark (red I heard) that shows on the odometer numerals.

I wouldn't want to buy car with a clocked odometer and no service records myself. Or a phony pink either, for that matter.

But it is just one thing of many you should consider when thinking about getting the car. Rust, prior accidents, and the regular problem areas on cars like these should be taken into account before buying....

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)