Is this really possible, odometer not working properly?

Tiny
ALLISON BROCKMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 14,980 MILES
I bought this car last Friday. The guy told me there were 148,860 miles on it. I looked at the odometer and I just saw the 148 and didn't pay attention to the rest of the numbers. That was good enough for me. When I got home, I was wondering why only 5 digits were showing instead of 6, so all I saw was about 148, 86 but didn't think too much about it. I figured maybe the last digit light was broken or something. Today I noticed it was saying 14956. I knew I couldn't have traveled about 1100 miles. That's impossible. Then I noticed that it's the 5th number that changes with each mile as if it's really 14,956, not 149, 56(?). Is it really possible that this car really does have only a little under 15,000 miles on it and the dealer messed up or could there be some other explanation? Let me add that the dealer was somewhat new to this business. I feel like this is a stupid question to ask but I also feel like this is too good to be true.
Monday, October 17th, 2022 AT 6:19 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Allison,

Anything is possible, but it's unlikely on a 2010. The average number of miles driven per year is 15,000. That would put this vehicle at approximately 180,000 miles.

Is it possible? Yes, anything can be. However, this is unlikely.

Do me a favor. Inspect things like the rubber brake pedal pad and the carpet where the heel of your right foot would sit. Do they have a lot of wear? Does the steering wheel show any wear?

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, October 17th, 2022 AT 7:40 PM
Tiny
ALLISON BROCKMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
The steering wheel does but the rubber on the pedals looks fine. Where a person puts their heel is a rubber mat that's part of the carpet. That's looks fine, plus they could have had a mat there anyway.

If I brought this to a mechanic, is there a way for him to see if this car has almost 150,000 miles on it or 15,000?
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Monday, October 17th, 2022 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

I would think so. Things under the vehicle can show wear, brakes, steering components, suspension parts, and so on can all show wear.

If you have a chance, let me know what you are told. I'm interested in knowing.

Joe
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 AT 7:36 PM
Tiny
ALLISON BROCKMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Well, I brought it to a mechanic, who confirmed it has 15,000 miles on it. He says it looks like it sat for a while, so I need some work done on it. One of the things he said I need is control arm bushings for both front and back. I have no idea how much this normally costs, but he gave me an estimate of $869.00 I think for the front and $1,146.00 for the back, I believe. They both state that doesn't include alignment. Is this the average price or should I be looking elsewhere? He also gave me an estimate of $458.00 for an intermediate shaft.
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Friday, October 28th, 2022 AT 9:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

The prices seem high to me. However, I don't know where you are located. Also, if it has 15,000 on it, it's hard to believe they are all bad, but I'm not there to see them.

As far as cost, I attached three pics below which provide the parts and labor. I'm not sure what the labor rate is, but the time required is indicated.

If it were me, I would have a second opinion. However, that is your call.

Let me know.

Joe

See pics below.
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Friday, October 28th, 2022 AT 10:32 PM
Tiny
ALLISON BROCKMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
These are the pictures that he sent me. I was thinking the same thing. How could this happen on a car that only has 15,000 miles on it, but he told me it's because things can happen when a car sits for a long time. Let me ask you this. My son is not a mechanic by any means, but when it comes to working on cars, he's very good at watching some videos and getting the job done. Are control arm bushings something you think a non mechanic would be able to replace or is that something a person should have a mechanic do? Same question with the steering shaft. By the way, I live in New York.
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Saturday, October 29th, 2022 AT 9:15 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

He should be able to do it. However, I would suggest that he simply replace the entire lower control arm rather than trying to replace the bushings. They are a bugger to remove, and you will need some specialized tooling.

I attached the directions below for your review. At least this way, it is unbolting things and then reinstalling the new part. Note: You should be able to get both sides lower arms for around $100.00. They will already have the bushings installed. Check Rockauto. Com. They usually have the best prices. Also, if you want them from there, let me know. I can get a coupon code for five percent off. And no, I don't work for them or have any interest in their business. I don't want you to think I get a kickback. LOL

Have your son take a look through the directions to see if he is comfortable doing it. I'll be here to help if needed.

Let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Sunday, October 30th, 2022 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
ALLISON BROCKMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
My son will watch some videos and I would appreciate that coupon very much. Any savings helps. He said that he's ordered from there before, but before I order it, I want to make sure that this is only for the lower control arms back and front because my son can't exactly ask his mechanic letting him know he might be doing the work. I just don't think the mechanic would appreciate that and my son goes to him when he has certain car issues. After initially looking over the car, the mechanic put down "Noted lower control arm bushings worn/rotted. Rear control/trailing arm bushing worn/rotten". Is the trailer something different? Then on the paper with the estimate, it says something a little more understandable. I guess one would be the front and the other the back, correct? And nothing about a trailing arm.

Control arm - Remove and Replace - Hybrid, LT, LTZ lower, both
Control arm - Remove and Replace - Lower, both

It also says "does not include alignment". Does that mean I need to get a wheel alignment after it's done? I appreciate the advice you have been giving me.
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Monday, October 31st, 2022 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

I believe there is a section when ordering that asks how you found out about them. That should be where the code is placed.

Here is the code:

216124192147410393

I'm here if he needs help or has questions.

Let me know how you make out.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, October 31st, 2022 AT 7:38 PM
Tiny
ALLISON BROCKMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Thank you so much for that coupon, but I really need help on what to order. I see that a rear control arm is sometimes referred to as a trailing arm, so I understand that. The problem is that I'm not sure which one to get. The mechanic said it's the rear lower control arm, but I'm mainly seeing forward and rearward trailing arms for the rear. Can someone please tell me which one of these would it be and is there a left and right or can you use them for either side?
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Friday, November 4th, 2022 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

No problem. The lower control arm is the second pic you attached. I copied the pic for you and the pic from the manual for you to see.

When you guys do this, you really need to be careful with the coil spring. It will need to be removed or should I say, will be removed as the lower control arm lowers. The spring is under an extreme load. You don't want it to fly out.

The last pics below are the directions for removing/replacing the coil. I realize you aren't replacing them; I just want you to review the directions.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.
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Friday, November 4th, 2022 AT 8:08 PM

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