Speedometer Calibration by Experts

Speedometer Calibration for All Vehicle Models – Odometer Service by Experts

We perform speedometer calibration for almost all vehicle makes and models. As a specialized workshop, we focus on services surrounding the odometer of standard passenger vehicles. In addition to speedometer calibration, we offer speedo repairs, speedometer adjustment, odometer calibration, and much more. Our services also include fault diagnosis and TV activation. We can also deactivate annoying seat belt warning chimes.

Our specialized workshop is equipped with the latest diagnostic devices running the most up-to-date software, allowing us to reliably detect and resolve odometer errors by adjusting the speedometer to the correct reading or repairing faults.

If you don't find your model listed immediately, it doesn't mean we cannot help you with your speedometer adjustment. Simply call us or send us a message via our contact form. You can always count on our professional discretion.

Is Speedometer Calibration Legal in Germany?

Yes, fundamentally it is, if it is a necessary correction. Only odometer manipulation for fraudulent purposes is prohibited in Germany and elsewhere.

If the speedometer needs to be calibrated so that it displays the correct speed and the proper mileage, then the speedometer calibration is legal. A speedometer repair is also legal. Only fraudulent odometer tampering is punishable by law. You can find more details in our FAQ on speedometer calibration. In the next section, you will find examples of when speedometer calibration in Germany is legal and necessary.

When Does Speedometer Calibration Become Necessary?

Speedometer calibration is always required when changes have been made to the speedometer or the vehicle that affect the measurement of the odometer and the speedometer display. For example, the speedometer must be readjusted if new tires with a different diameter are fitted to the vehicle.

Distance measurement is calculated based on tire rotations. With a larger tire diameter, a longer distance is covered at the same number of rotations. The odometer therefore counts fewer kilometers than actually traveled. If the tire diameter decreases, the distance covered at constant rotations is often significantly lower. In this case, the speedometer shows more kilometers than actually driven. A speedometer calibration must be performed in both cases.

If a speedometer is defective and cannot be repaired, a replacement speedometer must be installed. In this case, the new speedometer must be adjusted to the actual mileage. This may require rolling back the odometer or correcting the mileage upwards.

So when should a speedometer calibration be done? Fundamentally, any adjustment to the odometer is permitted and necessary if it results in the correct mileage being displayed, the speed being measured correctly, and the odometer counting the driven kilometers accurately. You don't have to drive to the Netherlands for a professional calibration; you can easily schedule an appointment on-site or at our workshop in Frankfurt.

What to Do if Odometer Tampering Has Occurred on a Used Car

Buying a used car is a matter of trust. Nevertheless, according to a study by the ADAC, the odometer is tampered with in about one in three used vehicles that change owners in Germany. Unfortunately, even many reputable used car dealers and dealerships sell vehicles with artificially lowered mileage. In most cases, this odometer tampering can be detected. With our state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, we can easily check whether the mileage of your used car corresponds to the actual kilometers driven. So play it safe when buying a car by having an odometer check performed. This is the only way to be certain that you have not been cheated.

When buying a car, you should also ask to see all repair and maintenance invoices and carefully study the entries in the service booklet to identify any discrepancies. You can also contact previous owners listed in the registration document to find out the mileage at the time of sale. The more past odometer readings you can verify, the higher the probability that you will uncover any existing tampering.

How Speedometer Calibration is Performed

Speedometer calibration is performed using diagnostic tools whose software can reprogram the speedometer and the odometer. Since speedometers are usually anchored within the vehicle's instrument cluster, it is removed for this purpose. For a trained expert, this is done in just a few steps. The data on the microchip is then adjusted, bringing the odometer to the correct reading.

In common German usage, "Tacho" refers to the combination of the speedometer (speed indicator) and the odometer (distance counter). When people speak of "rolling back the speedo," they usually mean adjusting the odometer/distance recorder.

For this purpose, the microchip located on the circuit board is reprogrammed. This may require desoldering individual components from the board and precisely resoldering them in fine-mechanic work. Once this detail work is completed, the instrument cluster is reinstalled into the vehicle's dashboard. The speedometer now shows the correct reading.