347.415 Odometer tampering.
(1g) In this section, “odometer" means an instrument for measuring and recording the actual distance that a motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or utility terrain vehicle has traveled while in operation, but does not include any auxiliary instrument designed to be reset to zero to measure and record the actual distance that a motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or utility terrain vehicle has traveled on trips.
(1m) No person may, either personally or through an agent, remove, replace, disconnect, reset, tamper with, alter, or fail to connect the odometer of any motor vehicle, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or utility terrain vehicle with the intent to change or affect the number of miles indicated thereon.
(2) No person may operate a motor vehicle subject to registration under ch. 341 on any street or highway with knowledge that the odometer is removed, disconnected or nonfunctional. An exemption may be provided if parts are on back order to correct a nonfunctional odometer.
(3) No person may advertise for sale, sell, use, install, or have installed any device which causes an odometer to register any mileage other than the true mileage driven. For purposes of this subsection, “true mileage driven" means that mileage traveled by the vehicle as measured and recorded by the odometer within the manufacturer's design tolerance.
(4) No person shall conspire with any other person to violate sub. (1m), (2) or (3).
(5) Nothing in this section shall prevent the service, repair or replacement of an odometer, provided the mileage indicated thereon remains the same as before the service, repair or replacement. Where the odometer is incapable of registering the same mileage as before such service, repair or replacement, the odometer shall be adjusted to read zero, and a written notice shall be attached, by the owner or an agent, to the left door frame of the vehicle, or other location as prescribed by the department, specifying the mileage prior to service, repair or replacement of the odometer and the date on which it was serviced, repaired or replaced. No person may, with intent to defraud, remove or alter such a notice so affixed. No person who services, repairs or replaces an odometer that is incapable of registering the same mileage as before such service, repair or replacement may fail to adjust the odometer to read zero or fail to attach the notice required by this subsection.
History: 1975 c. 121, 199; 1977 c. 29 s. 1654 (7) (a); 1993 a. 159; 2003 a. 166; 2011 a. 208.