Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Salesperson Manual Practice Test

If a vehicle's odometer is repaired or replaced, what must the replacement odometer show?

1. Zero mileage

2. The mileage at the time of malfunction plus miles driven since malfunction

3. An average estimate of the driven miles

4. The mileage of a similar vehicle

The correct answer is: The mileage at the time of malfunction plus miles driven since malfunction

When a vehicle's odometer is repaired or replaced, the replacement odometer must show the mileage that was registered at the time of the malfunction, plus any additional miles driven since that point. This ensures that the mileage reading is as accurate as possible and reflects the true usage of the vehicle, maintaining transparency in its history. Correctly recording the mileage in this manner protects both the seller and the buyer by providing clear information about the vehicle's usage. This is particularly important in preventing disputes regarding vehicle value and authenticity as it helps maintain the integrity of vehicle sale records. Adhering to this guideline ensures compliance with regulations regarding odometer readings, which are established to deter odometer fraud and promote fair practices within the auto sales industry. The other options do not adhere to these regulations. Showing zero mileage would misrepresent the vehicle's history, while providing an average estimate or the mileage of a similar vehicle fails to give an accurate account specific to the actual vehicle in question.