This literally just happened to me...bought a element at 121,000 supposedly and later found out through my insurance app that it was last reported at a shop in Kentucky with 231,000 miles. So messed up what people do.
Considering that a 121k mile car is more likely to save you in an accident than a 231k mile car; it deeply bothers me that there's not some form of enforcement or government oversight over these private car sales. Upon registering the car at 121k miles, the DMV should immediately detect the 110k mile discrepancy and send the purchase information to the police.
I noticed the rpm's was too high on the hwy(5000), whereas I can go 80mph and my rpm's is cruising at or around 2500. I notice how some people will punch the gas upon driving on the hwy, and that's not good for the engine. It doesn't matter the type engine you have, whether high performance etc, (don't) punch the gas pedal. And on top of that, it's a 4 cylinder. Yes, I understand it was for performance purposes in showing the car was in decent shape, but it still wasn't a good idea, just my opinion. I have a Honda Element myself here in Alabama, and I bought mine with 143,000 miles on it, driving all the way to South Carolina, finding it off marketplace, and the guy was fairly honest, although I did have to replace the sway bar links. I drove it all the way back home with no sway bar links, I just happened to discover it didn't have any, but overall the vehicle was a blessing for me, it had no rust, no engine issues, expensive bright headlight bulbs, and the engine was in great condition. He sold it tome for $2500, it was a salvaged title, but he under sold it to me just wanting to get rid of it. I've had it now for almost 4 years, and I keep it tuned up, regular oil changes using Mobile1 oil, and I put seafoam in the gas tank once a month to keep the injectors clean. That's my story.
I have a 2003 Element with a salvaged title as well. A friend of mine blessed me with it 3 years ago. It had about 175,000k on it. It was parked at a train station and a truck illegally parked there side swiped both doors on the passenger side. The insurance company totalled the car and I replaced both doors. The car is ultra reliable and purrs like a kitten.
After watching this video, I decided to go and check my Element's carfax and yes it happened, the car has double the miles that I bought it for. 270k miles. I'm so mad but I've put some money on my car and love it so much that I'm just going to embrace the process (suck it up) and keep going cause I love it, I fixed all the rust down under, radiator, brakes, brakes pads, rotors, tires, stereo, back up camera... I was wondering if at this point it was worth all these but I just simply love the car with all those 270k miles.
Seeing the element price gone wild makes me sad, I always wanted to get one in Toronto. Alo feels bad for what you have experienced, that's a total betrayal.
Wow, thanks for posting this. Great video. Yet another thing to be concerned with when buying used. BTW, loved the image of you cleaning your wheels in the dishwasher. Very resourceful!
If nothing else, you are one helluva story teller my friend. This was one of the most engaging video stories I’ve ever experienced on RU-vid. Bravo and so well done!!
That’s why it is so important to get a dealer inspection or DMV inspection before selling the car. That inspection will record the mileage and it will show on carfax. Then if someone buys it, in the bill of sale it will show the mileage. In the case someone gets ripped off you have taken steps to protect yourself and others by documenting the mileage
just saw a couple of your very informative videos and you're my new hero. i just bought my first element and it needs some work. thanks to you, now I'm a bit more confident in tacliking the work ahead of me
See that’s what I like. You buy a $1000 car and don’t end up in peoples court! Any $1000 car needs work! Great job. One way to keep cost of car down, sweat equity !
Interesting about the rolling back of the odometer. I thought that the mileage was locked into the PCM and the odometer was just displaying the data. That means that changing the instrument cluster with one from another car with lower mileage would not have the desired effect.
WOW! What a story! A few twist and turns, this could be a movie! I have to say, you did a wonderful job.! What a beautiful Element! I noticed you have a couple more, I love these vehicles, you have a soothing voice and I can’t wait to hear about your next adventure ! ✨😎✨
Wow, what an unscrupulous parasite to do something like that. Thanks for the info on the cluster swap. I have a 2003 Element EX AWD that I bought new in Nov. 2003. I was fortunate to be able to work from home most of the time since I bought it so it has only 60k miles on it and a good chunk of that was three coast to coast trips. Love the car and will never part with it.
that's wild! I checked out an element with a shocking 118k miles for $6k, and I checked it out and luckily passed. The guy was sketchy, and the car gave me bad vibes. Think he might have rolled back the mileage
I was always curious if you could turn the back seats around. Nice to know that you can. I am going to be in the market for an Element in a few months, any things I should look out for as far as maintenance items when shopping?
In November of 2022 i bought a 2006 element with 177,000 miles on it from a used car dealer for $7000 out the door. Nothing but a nightmare. over $12,000 later (Plus the purchase price of $7,000) I hope problems are solved. I feel like I cannot trust this thing. If the Honda dealership had evaluated it correctly when I first took it to them I would have been able to take it back & only lost $500 for restocking fee.
Just stumbled on this vid. Wow just cannot believe you can just take miles off this easily on this van nor boost the price that high. Especially with all the rust etc. Got to admit people just do not check out used cars as much as they should. You should crawl all over a used car and get all the records you can. I not only run a check but also have my mechanic look any car over. Though again I hardly ever buy a used car at most a certified used one that just used for errands or stuff. I collect Porches atm 3 a 993, 997 and new base 992.
Unfortunately the Carfax does not always tell the whole story, not everything that is repaired or replaced on the vehicle goes onto the Carfax. Never depend on the Carfax for all the information
While true, the carfax should be used as a method to verify mileage. Ie: the latest reported mileage shows 150k but is being sold with 120k on the odometer
I always wondered about the rumble strip thing in my pilot with a ton of miles going to get a lot of maintenance I should have prob done on a cheap Honda from stuff you did thanks dude
Great video, thank you for pointing out potential issues when purchasing an element. Is there way to contact you relating to information exchange? Thank you!
Sorry for your experience. I have a 2007 EX that I love with 90K on it......any suggestions on an Element owners forum or site? I have a lead on a 2010 with a blown engine. TIA
Make sure you run a carfax report before buying anything! Then check the odometer history from every service/inspection and make sure everything lines up
The trailing arm mounts were super rusty. The car is basically scrap metal. At the time I would have felt way worse selling it to some poor college kid for full price and having the rear wheels fall off days later, being left with a completely useless car
