Speedometer had been changed on the car?
 

Hello everyone, this is my first message, and I bought myself a 2019 Volvo XC90. I want to ask for your opinion without prolonging the matter. When I checked the MOT details of the car, it had been inspected with 28 thousand miles on the clock in October, but as of March 1, it shows 80 thousand miles. I asked the seller, and they said they had no information about this. It seemed strange to me because covering 50 thousand miles in such a short time is quite challenging. Anyway, while reading the car's manual, I found an invoice inside. According to the information written on it, on January 30, 2024, the faulty speedometer was replaced with another one. The faulty one had 46 thousand miles on it, while the replacement one shows 80 thousand miles. It is said that it needs to be taken to the main dealer to get it adjusted because it has a blocker on it. Now, I'm a bit puzzled and wondering if anyone among you can provide information on what I should do. Additionally, do you have an idea of how much it might cost? I want it to be solved -if it is possible- before the car MOT checks which current millage on the system will be updated, Thank you.

The vehicles actual mileage is stored in the computer and can be read by VIDA. I'm sure a dealer or independent who has the licenced VIDA would be able to re-set the odo to the correct mileage. I would ask the local dealer. a, is it possible and b, how much. Then you can go from there.

^^^^ As he said the mileage is also stored in the CEM (Central Electronic Module) so if you pop into your Volvo dealer or Indie who has access to Volvo dianostics, a quick read will give you the true mileage (remember the CEM may stored the mileage in Km).

If it is the case that the mileage on the DIM (Driver Instrument Module) is higher than the actual reading, it might be that it can be corrected, however the dealer will likely decline to do this - as they only fit new parts, not used, there are no circumstances where this would be legitimate to them.

Try speaking to Volvo diagnostics, it may also be possible with VDASH.

OK, hear me out, please. Since this speedo was replaced with a used and higher mileage one (it seems £400 was paid for it on the invoice), it makes me think: what will stop me from asking some garages who do this replacement when I pay for another speedo with a lower mileage if the main dealer does not correct it?

Erm... nothing to stop you but you are in this position because a previous owner did not do a proper repair job. If you do the same, you may end up with a complicated car to sell as the up/down mileage will get red flagged on any car checking service. And a at £400 for a replacement, used unit, it might be far cheaper just to get the mileage corrected.

The correct way to fix this is a NEW instrument panel , when a DIM software reload is carried out by the dealer it will put the correct mileage into the new DIM which is stored in the CEM .. there is usually a "Mileage Manipulated" fault code when mileage is tampered with.

If the mileage was entered on the v5 by the 'seller' when you took ownership then it will already be in the 'system' and putting it back to the correct mileage would look even more suspicious. I'd be inclined to have a word with the Volvo dealer to see if they are willing to change it or just go with it as it is and keep hold of the invoice with the details of the change, even if Volvo will change it keep the invoice in case anyone wants to know where the mileage manipulation marker, that Clan mentions, has come from.

Thank you for your valuable input. I am unaware of your location, but there's a process we call the vehicle check, known as MOT. The last official check was in October 2023, indicating a mileage of over 28k. This data is recorded in the system. However, around 46k, the speedometer encounters a fault, leading the owner to a non-dealer garage for a fix. It seems the intention is to avoid the hefty cost of replacing the part, opting for a used speedometer showing 80k.As of now, there's time for the MOT renewal in October 2024. If I can't correct it by then, the system will register whatever is displayed on the clock. There will be no turning back from that point. Changing it after October 2024 would likely be considered fraudulent. I am simply striving to ensure an accurate reading on the clock to maintain the car's value, which seems fair for me to pursue.

A 18000 miles increase in 3 months from October at 28K to December at 46k also seems very high.
I think you need to get the software read with Volvo diagnostics to confirm the real mileage.

I live in Yorkshire.... I think we have MOT here too :-)

I get what you are doing and of course it is an absolutely fair thing to do but you are never going to achieve that by changing the instruments with second hand ones. The only way is to either get yours corrected to the mileage recorded in the cars central computer, or buy a new one at a dealer - the mileage will be correctly set as part of the installation process as Clan says....

It's a little strange as I believe on the P3 models the mileage on a DIM will sync to the CEM shortly after it's been installed.