appraisal of motorhome

[John McGinnis]

You said this was a private sale and your PO bought it from a
dealer .. Proving odometer fraud is extremely difficult; dealers are
less likely to commit the fraud because of the ramifications of
getting caught. Following the paper trail is about the only way it
can truly be proved, if you can find all the significant dates;
initial purchase and every time it had dealer service & each time it
actually transferred ownership, which could actually be months
between actual transactions. It is most likely a case in which one
of the previous owners had the odometer replaced due to equipment
failure and had forgotten and or failed to report it when the vehicle
was sold. You'd be surprised of the coaches that do have to have the
odometer changed due to mechanical failure. Mechanically 30 – 50K
miles is extremely difficult to detect if the vehicle had a proper
preventive maintenance program & proper upkeep, & storage. An
appraisal will let you know what the coach is worth during current
market conditions, most appraisers do not dig too deep in the
mechanics of the vehicle, did it start, ride, drive and do the all
the major components function is about the extent. I will also
consider maintenance schedules and service work, and system upgrades
or coach improvements but the value difference between two vehicles
with a mileage difference of 20 – 50K would be marginal in this class
of vehicle. I truly believe the Actual Cash Value difference would
be insignificant in your case. Now if the vehicle had 150K
difference that would be different and that would be evident in other
areas. If you had purchased it from the dealer yourself then I would
go back to that dealer and protest but since you bought it privately
your case is actually with your PO, your PO has the case with the
dealer. IMO save yourself the legal expense, use those funds to buy
fuel & enjoy the coach, because you may spend more all around then
you could gain. You liked the coach, you bought it to enjoy so enjoy
it and don't let the taste of someone else's failure, ruin your
enjoyment. You're setting yourself up for high blood pressure and
other issues. By all means report the odometer discrepancy when you
sell.
John McGinnis, Certified Appraiser, 88FC35, Louisville, KY