Colorado Car Sales Practice Test

What constitutes true mileage as per legal requirements?

1. The last recorded mileage by the dealer

2. The mileage indicated on the odometer

3. The average mileage of similar vehicles

4. Judgment of the owner

The correct answer is: The mileage indicated on the odometer

True mileage, as defined by legal requirements in Colorado, is represented by the mileage indicated on the odometer. This figure reflects the actual distance the vehicle has traveled since its manufacture and is crucial for establishing a vehicle's value, condition, and integrity. Accurate odometer readings help prevent issues related to odometer fraud, where a seller might try to mislead a buyer about the car's usage and wear. It's important to emphasize that this standard protects consumers and ensures transparency in the vehicle sales process, making it a legal obligation for sellers to accurately represent the mileage recorded on the odometer. Other options, such as the last recorded mileage by the dealer or the average mileage of similar vehicles, do not provide the exact and verifiable measurement necessary by law. Similarly, a judgment of the owner lacks objectivity and can introduce bias, which is why the odometer reading remains the definitive measure of true mileage.