Gen 4 Outback - Odometer wound back BEWARE!

1st subaru · Post by **1st subaru** » Sun May 18, 2014 10:45 am

Hi Guys

Been a while since I've been here but had a problem that I thought I would share.

I bought a 2004 H6 Outback last year after lots of research into the car, the general consensus was that these cars were bullet proof. Picked up a great deal, the car had only done 102,000km, and had just had the big 100,000km service.

Over the last year I have had a few issues to deal with that all seemed odd for such a bullet proof car. All my work was done by S & J automotive an SA Subaru specialist, and there recommended Transmission guys.

The first sign of something not right was that the 100,000km service was not done, I called the mechanic who said he just rubber stamped the service for a guy who brings through lots of cars, small alarm bells as the guy I bought it off told me it was his car.

S & J sorted me out ($1400 later) and off we went, got the windows tinted dark to look great, then there was a fuse failure that took 3 places to solve, the Cv boots, and a leak in the valve gasket cover (not replaced yet), a new radiator top tank and clean out, transmission service and flush after a trans cooler leak (runs like a dream now), idler bearing block and tensioner and finally a LH rear wheel bearing. All up I have spent about $4264 (first time i have added it up, scary) including some scheduled servicing. I was getting pretty down on the car but she is a beauty and I planned on a long term relationship so was ok.

Last week I got a call from Major Crime Branch, SA Police. They are investigating a national syndicate that buys cars in Sydney or Melbourne with around 240-250,000kms, brings them to SA, winds the clock back and sells them on.

The police new the name of the guy I bought my Suby from, the km's on my car and said that there has been several similar Outbacks sold in the state recently. He could not confirm my car had the clock wound back yet as he was having some problems getting the records. But with the car being so closely associated with the syndicate he expected it to be. If it is confirmed he will have to confiscate my service books, and I cannot sell the car without having the odometer corrected, which he could not advise me how to do.

GUUUTTTTEEEEDDDD!!!!!!!

Beware there are some dodgy F$%^ers rolling around in SA.

Any advice?

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun May 18, 2014 11:17 am

At least the car is fixed up pretty well now. We have a H6 liberty those things do seem pretty bulletproof.
Thinking back to the sale, did the guy seem dodgy in hindsight?

1st subaru · Post by **1st subaru** » Sun May 18, 2014 4:33 pm

No, he seemed polite and friendly, we meet him at his house, although he conveniently lived with his elderly grandma who spoke no English.

Biggest concern is the fact that the car becomes virtually worthless once I have to give up my Logbooks.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun May 18, 2014 5:23 pm

Personally I'd keep the car if the body is in good nick as it's probably got plenty of life left now you've sorted the mechanicals. Keep it and enjoy it until it's depreciated to the point where it's past doesn't matter as much.

Post by **Bantum** » Sun May 18, 2014 5:28 pm

Take copies of all your documents / log books & submit them ... ( unless they are forged ? )

Did you get a REVs ( or similar ) certificate ?

Ciao, Bantum ...

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Sun May 18, 2014 8:38 pm

I wasnt aware that it was possible to wind back a digital odometer.

AndrewT · Post by **AndrewT** » Sun May 18, 2014 8:54 pm

Perhaps the whole cluster was swapped with one from a low kms wreck.
Although I'm sure there would be some way to "hack" the electronics.

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Sun May 18, 2014 9:16 pm

You guys need to watch A currant Affair more often! There was a Ford dealer that got done for submitting his cars to Shifty in a railway carpark, exchange of currency and Viola! , this weasel with his jewellers magnifying glass headmount, got into removing dash pods - mostly digital ! and set the readings back or maybe forward to read lower. Surveillance by ACA was pretty big and as soon as cameras and known reporter came out when they accepted the producers cash to wind his speed back - the weasel hot footed it outta the car park. The Ford dealer lost his licence

taza · Post by **taza** » Sun May 18, 2014 11:08 pm

As an auto sparky I'll confirm that it is possible on nearly all vehicles. It does happen frequently and is something to be weary of.

If you know where to go anyone can walk into a certain shop and pay under $100 to have it changed to what ever you want.

The ability to do this is not for the purpose of buying/selling cars but for when a cluster/odometer can fail. A used cluster can then be purchased and the odometer set to what the original one was.

1st subaru · Post by **1st subaru** » Mon May 19, 2014 7:34 am

Bantum wrote:Take copies of all your documents / log books & submit them ... ( unless they are forged ? )

Did you get a REVs ( or similar ) certificate ?

Ciao, Bantum ...

Hi Bantum

Did all The checks and it came up clean. Also after some research it is pretty easy to buy software and a reasonably able IT person can wind back digital Odometers pretty quickly.

I'll copy the log books, but would you buy a car with photocopied log books?

Keeping it seems like the only option I have.

Cheers

Post by **Bantum** » Mon May 19, 2014 12:45 pm

Sorry to hear, you should see if you can find the original owner as they might be able shed some light on actual km travelled ...

P.S. - I meant keep the originals, send in the copies ...

Cheers, Bantum ...

ktmtragic · Post by **ktmtragic** » Mon May 19, 2014 6:27 pm

Officer I can't for the life of me remember what happened to the log books

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Fri May 23, 2014 12:43 am

+1, either "forget" where you put the books or copy them.

Really sucks this happened but how is the car now?

julian · Post by **julian** » Sat May 24, 2014 8:22 pm

Hey mate.
What a prick of a thing. I'm sorry this has happened to you.
If you play ball with the cops you might end up getting some money back from victims of crime compensation. If it was wound back and you are forced to find someone to correct it then you are a victim of crime and it would be worthwhile enquiring as to this avenue as it might cover your costs thus far.
If not, you will get your books back and know the car is not a shapeshifter.

If you remember you actually bought my turbo L years ago, and funnily enough I bought an H6 outback myself last year!

All the best.