2005 C230 Mileage verification
 

How can I find out if the mileage on a 2005 C230 was rolled back. I am interested in purchasing one but I was told that this place selling these cars might be rolling the milage back.

Thanks,

Fab

your DMV should be able to provide ODO records from previous changes of title.
compare this with Carfax, and dealer service odo readings and that should give
you an idea if the current mileage is reasonable.

If you have any doubt about the actual mileage, or the reputation of the seller, find another car!!! COMMON SENSE 101.

I'm curious, i believe you've posted previously there is only one vendor you know of in the USA that can reprogram (format?) a dash unit on the newer model cars?

If that is the case, how prevalent can rollbacks be given MB's security/controls? Sounds like it would be impossible for a typical shady sales lot or thief to accomplish?

I know of several MB dealers that have used http://www.paspeedo.com/ to program mileage following programming errors at the dealer. I've sent a couple there myself.

I'm sure there are other "companies" that can do this as well. I think that any "shady sales lot or thief" could get the mileage rolled back without too much difficulty. The problem is (for the thief), it wouldn't be too hard to detect. A VMI will show the date and mileage of all warranty work, including Recall Campaigns. CARFAX can sometimes be useful as well, but I'd go with a VMI first. On a newer MB, spotting a significant mileage discrepancy would be pretty simple.

MB's are very easy to "clock." You cannot rely on the odo, but must do your homework to verify the mileage. Digital odos are actually easier to tamper with...