Checking genuine mileage using VCDS ??

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Agent_Trig

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After reading a thread earlier this week about checking the genuine mileage on an Audi using VCDS, this got me thinking that it's something I'd like to get done as I have slight doubts in my mind about how genuine my mileage is (41k on a 4.5 year old car with cabin wear on handbrake, gear stick etc).

I already had my car booked in at Audi tomorrow anyway for a DSG oil and filter change so just rang them up to see if they could quickly check the mileage using their software.

The woman on the phone said she had never heard of this but went to ask their 'master technician' anyway. She came back and said that he said it's possible but no Audi garage can do it as far as he knows. He said the info is recorded in the case of an accident which is then sent to Germany for a detailed report.

Is he talking crap? I said that I would find out if it is possible and pass the information onto them in case it's something that they have not been trained in as I do not want to spend a load of money on my car tomorrow to find out at a later date that it's been clocked.

It's most likely me being paranoid about my car, but it's just for peace of mind.

Could anyone shed any light on what Audi need to do to obtain the mileage info from the ECU?

Thanks
 
Sounds like they are talking poo to me. VCDS can do this, so I'm sure their diag software can too. I think it's in the Engine control module.
Although I don't know if the value is affected if a car is clocked.
NHN will be able to advise. PM him a link to this thread.
 
You can do it in VCDS.
I'm a bit shocked that an Audi Master tech does not know this.

It would make me think how technical they really are and make worry about giving them my car.
 
Axios said:
You can do it in VCDS.
I'm a bit shocked that an Audi Master tech does not know this.

It would make me think how technical they really are and make worry about giving them my car.
Click to expand...

Do Audi use VCDS? And if so, then could someone let me know where you can get this info from VCDS so that I can pass this onto the Audi garage?
 
Nah the dealer will use VAS which is the VAG OEM diagnostic tool, and if VCDS can do it i would expect that VAS can too
 
Agent_Trig said:
Do Audi use VCDS? And if so, then could someone let me know where you can get this info from VCDS so that I can pass this onto the Audi garage?
Click to expand...

Mate, I answered that for you in my last post....

aythree said:
Sounds like they are talking poo to me. VCDS can do this, so I'm sure their diag software can too. I think it's in the Engine control module.
Although I don't know if the value is affected if a car is clocked.
NHN will be able to advise. PM him a link to this thread.
Click to expand...

As mentioned, dealers use VAS.
But PM NHN, as he has installed new dashes/DIS which required mileage adjustments, so he will know what's what when it comes to it all.
 
aythree said:
Mate, I answered that for you in my last post....



As mentioned, dealers use VAS.
But PM NHN, as he has installed new dashes/DIS which required mileage adjustments, so he will know what's what when it comes to it all.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've PM's him. Just waiting on the reply.

Cheers
 
You can read it in address 03 in fact nearly all control units depending on year.
To check if clocked simply force a fault in abs and read off the ambient readings then convert km to mileage and you have the mileage
All depends on the year as none obd cars its a bit awkward and vas is not like vag commander where you can read the eprom etc
As the master tech has told you its slightly off normal procedure with vas gff set up only to read information for exchange units as vas does not support mileage changes over 50 miles to 100miles from a new unit (dash)
He can access via the suggestion of forcing a fault code or mvbs but please dont dismiss him as uneducated its simply the tools he uses are not designed to pick up aftermarket mileage adjustment
 
Good reply a8tech, why would the controller 3 - ABS show the milage? Sounds a strange controller to be accessed to find the true milage, not that I doubt it at all, just curious.

An auto-scan in VCDS shows milage in KM & Miles, would this be genuine or could this too have been tampered with?
 
anything on drive train will show ambient readings with time/date and mileage as they are priority fault codes taking preference of convenience can faults like alarm siren trigger etc
adaption channel 09 in dash is the mileage but remember if clocked then its likely only the dash is clocked however this has to be tryed to see if it works or airbag will store data but you cant read that with vcds or vas for crash info as that's hidden
in theory gateway should have access to mileage address 19
It just chokes me when people call Master techs not realising they have a protocol to follow from the manufacture and trained to diagnose and repair not clock cars or **** about with eproms and remaps lol (sorry guess what I do for a living) lol

also you must understand that the modern service tech are trained to use guided fault finding for warranty and this prompts the user through test plans now unless you have been around before the days of elsa and vas then you are not going to use obd and self diag to diagnose or read data.
If the modern tech has to replace a control unit then as of 2008 they are nearly all done online so the server reads the old data and the returns the data to the new unit so there is no need to find the coding or mileage etc so the knowledge inst there from experience to find out other data like adaption channels etc

i use vcds and its fine for reading data and long coding but for 2010 onwards it lacking in description and function so I have vas as well amongst other software

Ive been around since 1990 and training cant teach you its something you acquire over the years and we are the people you ulitimalty rely on when warranty problems become multi vists vehicles

vcds and vas show km as vcds is a direct copy of selfdiag and there world wide sw versions so as most use km so do vas and vcds to the best of my knowledge

i still like the forum just like to give the story from the other side of the counter

btw i'm on holiday hence the spare time to browse forum before you call me a lazy ****** on a forum instead of dealing with nightmares :)
 
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a8 tech said:
You can read it in address 03 in fact nearly all control units depending on year.
To check if clocked simply force a fault in abs and read off the ambient readings then convert km to mileage and you have the mileage
All depends on the year as none obd cars its a bit awkward and vas is not like vag commander where you can read the eprom etc
As the master tech has told you its slightly off normal procedure with vas gff set up only to read information for exchange units as vas does not support mileage changes over 50 miles to 100miles from a new unit (dash)
He can access via the suggestion of forcing a fault code or mvbs but please dont dismiss him as uneducated its simply the tools he uses are not designed to pick up aftermarket mileage adjustment
Click to expand...

I'm guessing that the tech at Audi wont fancy doing this as it sounds like it's not following procedure. Is that right?

Maybe I'm best just sticking to my original plan and just getting it scanned with VCDS.
 
a8 tech said:
i use vcds and its fine for reading data and long coding but for 2010 onwards it lacking in description and function so I have vas as well amongst other software
Click to expand...

Try the VCDS Beta 11.2. it has all the right description files ;)
 
As A8 tech says, you can see mileage in most modules, but vcds does have an option under applications called EDC, that allows you to check whats stored on the ECU for mileage.

Have a looksy here:

Ross-Tech: VCDS Tour: EDC-15-16 Mileage

As for A8's previous post, I agree with what he says, I have seen what VAG are like with dealers, its never like its told on forums tbh, hence why I cut them allot of slack after seeing, working, using the tools with the audi techs in the workshop, vag dont make life that easy for dealers, although some dealers can be a pita, but then again so can allot of customers who really dont understand how to even turn on there indicators properly, if you get me :)
 
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You are so right its untrue, dealer life is very hard indeed with faults indi workshops would not sort out as we are 3 to 4 years in front dealing with everything you could possible imagine and expectation is so high its a pressure pot.You see all these specialists and its great but fitting things and servicing is very easy and lots of money can be made but when you have all these mutiple platforms with differing networks drivetrains and suspension its a lot to cope with and it doesn't help being forum bashed as you may only be dealing with your own specific vehicle and you have all the time in the world plus no one to answer to on cost or correct diagnosis.
I agree there is a low average standard but lets be honest in this country any one can start a workshop up without regulation or license.

I would run the dealers the German way with the service manager being a master tech and the front of house reception plus the workshop so all the way through your visit you are dealing with qualified and brand aware people instead of 15 techs and a master tech

Hopefully this would improve the service and image and some recognition like corgi for gas fitters etc, I have to be reappraised every 4 years and its ****** hard ill tell thee

I like forums as hobbiest as well as a tech because I love what I do and care as well but you read the comments and its like a kick in the balls

As mentioned I'm on forums as I enjoy the whole scene but will try and help and try not to be pulled into anti dealer stuff I think forums help me understand owners as well but hopefully you can see I'm honest and not daft I know dealers are not all on the ball and communication is normally the cause but Audi are working hard to sort it out and forum input is very important, I wouldn't work for anyone else but the growth rate has been so fast this least 5 years its mind blowing:wacko:
 
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Hi all,
I connected up VAG commander and a connected via CAN BUS 2.0 to my ECU and without meaning to change anything (although I did press coding tab on the left which said coding unit successful), Somehow I have changed the odometer from miles to kilometres and the cars instrument panel is behaving as if it were a foreign car.
For example, when left door is open it shows that the right door is open.
On switch of ignition i'm also presented with a warning telling me to apply brake when stationary when selecting gear.
Does anyone know how I can get this back to normal!?


I managed to read the eeprom if this helps?
 
a8 tech said:
You are so right its untrue, dealer life is very hard indeed with faults indi workshops would not sort out as we are 3 to 4 years in front dealing with everything you could possible imagine and expectation is so high its a pressure pot.You see all these specialists and its great but fitting things and servicing is very easy and lots of money can be made but when you have all these mutiple platforms with differing networks drivetrains and suspension its a lot to cope with and it doesn't help being forum bashed as you may only be dealing with your own specific vehicle and you have all the time in the world plus no one to answer to on cost or correct diagnosis.
I agree there is a low average standard but lets be honest in this country any one can start a workshop up without regulation or license.

I would run the dealers the German way with the service manager being a master tech and the front of house reception plus the workshop so all the way through your visit you are dealing with qualified and brand aware people instead of 15 techs and a master tech

Hopefully this would improve the service and image and some recognition like corgi for gas fitters etc, I have to be reappraised every 4 years and its ****** hard ill tell thee

I like forums as hobbiest as well as a tech because I love what I do and care as well but you read the comments and its like a kick in the balls

As mentioned I'm on forums as I enjoy the whole scene but will try and help and try not to be pulled into anti dealer stuff I think forums help me understand owners as well but hopefully you can see I'm honest and not daft I know dealers are not all on the ball and communication is normally the cause but Audi are working hard to sort it out and forum input is very important, I wouldn't work for anyone else but the growth rate has been so fast this least 5 years its mind blowing:wacko:
Click to expand...

Where abouts do you work m8???
 
poxxxy said:
Hi all,
I connected up VAG commander and a connected via CAN BUS 2.0 to my ECU and without meaning to change anything (although I did press coding tab on the left which said coding unit successful), Somehow I have changed the odometer from miles to kilometres and the cars instrument panel is behaving as if it were a foreign car.
For example, when left door is open it shows that the right door is open.
On switch of ignition i'm also presented with a warning telling me to apply brake when stationary when selecting gear.
Does anyone know how I can get this back to normal!?


I managed to read the eeprom if this helps?
Click to expand...

The only thing i can think of is to drive on the other side of the road until you can get it fixed....

Try PM Nige or have a loo at the ross tech site maybe ?
 
Paddy, please do not suggest to Poxxxy to drive on the wrong side of the road. That is quite dangerous. Better if he stayed on the correct side, but drove in reverse. Anyway, I hate to have to say this, but on my left-hand-drive car, the left side is still on the left side. I know that is confusing, but that's how it is.... LoL.
 
poxxxy said:
Hi all,
I connected up VAG commander and a connected via CAN BUS 2.0 to my ECU and without meaning to change anything (although I did press coding tab on the left which said coding unit successful), Somehow I have changed the odometer from miles to kilometres and the cars instrument panel is behaving as if it were a foreign car.
For example, when left door is open it shows that the right door is open.
On switch of ignition i'm also presented with a warning telling me to apply brake when stationary when selecting gear.
Does anyone know how I can get this back to normal!?

I managed to read the eeprom if this helps?
Click to expand...


VW Golf (1K) Instrument Cluster - Ross-Tech Wiki
 
Hi guys,

Can someone please clear this up for me…

I've got a mate thats looking to buy a 2010 A3 2.0 TFSI but he is a little concerned about the mileage. I’ve said Id check it using VCDS however the ECU mileage (here: Ross-Tech: VCDS Tour: EDC-15-16 Mileage)only works on Tdi's with that specific EDC 15-16 ECU, so cant check it using that.

We regards to the above and modules on the CAN line showing mileage, this is not right as its only shows the mileage a fault code was saved. I.e. if I create a fault on the ABS module (by incorrect coding) it just shows the mileage at the time I created the fault. The car he is looking at had no faults at all when I first scanned it.

So is there anyway at all to check mileage using VCDS on the newer cars? Looks like not?

To be honest I don’t think you could change the milage on these newer cars anyway?

Cheers
 
Anyone? Off to see the car tomorow.

Thanks
 
please excuse how stupid i am but what is vcds' and can you buy it youself or do you go to a garage for it ?
 
Check out Ross Tech on Google mate
 
looked at it since the post ( sorry should have done that first)
not trying to find a cheap after market one to check gunuine milage on the new cars i am looking for
 
Well, my mate bought the car, however still never found a way to check the mileage!
 
dont think the aa / or rac do milage checks do they /?
 
Thats a counterfeit cable, certainly wouldnt let anyone stick a counterfeit vcds on any of our cars.
 
Hi

I am planning to go away from italian cars and switch to Audi :)
But I don't want to get ripped off by dodgy car dealers who are clocking cars...
As far as I understood it is quite easy to change the miles on the instrument cluster and in the EDC15/16 ECU as well, so the VCDS function to get the miles from the ECU also cant be trusted.

I heard that ABS also stores miles and that tampering with it is a bit more involved than connecting to the OBD port and running some program. Is VCDS able to read mileage from ABS or do you have to force a fault on the ABS system to get the miles?
Also could someone please tell me what is the least invasive way to trigger this? (Something that I could do when I go see a car before buying it)

Silky_S3: You said that you performed an invalid coding. What did you do exactly?

Thanks
 
mileage is stored in the cluster, an approximation in the ecu and in some cars the gateway and the dsg box
it can be directly changed in the edc15/edc 16 ecu and cluster, and the gateway and dsg mileage can be reset to 0 easily
some of the very latest cars are storing the distance to service in the keys, but apparently not the milage

vcds can only read edc15/edc16 mileage directly (diesel) and currently there dont seem to be tools to read edc17 or any of the petrol version ecu mileage

as stated in earlier posts, fault codes record the mileage (but thats from the cluster with date/time) so you cant use that reliably to get original mileage - any car with all errors cleared or errors after it was clocked will correlate with the cluster mileage
 
Thanks for clearing things up for me...

What about reading miles from the gateway and/or dsg how can this be done? I am thinking that if that shows 0 it may be a sign of tampering with the car.
 
In turns of forcing a fault, I just ticked an option in the ABS module that I dint have (ie, electric handbrake etc), and that brings up the mileage with the fault list. But as said above it just uses the cluster millage, so you cant tell if its been clocked unless it was clocked after the fault and then not cleared, but thats very unlikly as I suspect clocking will create loads of faults when its taking place, and thus will be cleared.
 
Hi guys
reading through the post because i have concerns about the mileage on my car.
I plugged in my vcd and wanted to check my 2012 tdi and all i kept getting was (vcds was not able to retrieve mileage from this ecu. the ecu is either not supported, or does not store mileage. sorry!)
So i guess it not possible with vcd?

Thanks
 
g19aby said:
Hi guys
reading through the post because i have concerns about the mileage on my car.
I plugged in my vcd and wanted to check my 2012 tdi and all i kept getting was (vcds was not able to retrieve mileage from this ecu. the ecu is either not supported, or does not store mileage. sorry!)
So i guess it not possible with vcd?

Thanks
Click to expand...
What cable/software are you using ?
 
g19aby said:
Hi guys
reading through the post because i have concerns about the mileage on my car.
I plugged in my vcd and wanted to check my 2012 tdi and all i kept getting was (vcds was not able to retrieve mileage from this ecu. the ecu is either not supported, or does not store mileage. sorry!)
So i guess it not possible with vcd?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The EDC mileage application within VCDS doesn't work on my 57 A6 nor my 09 A3.
 
Yes it only supports certain ecu's & years, so that's the issue.

Some cars use the cluster for mileage only & some use ecu & cluster, so 2 places.
 
As a non-trade, non-technical, normal motorist, I've just read this thread with considerable concern. Having just bought a fairly low-mileage used one-owner 2011 car from a major Audi Main Dealer, do I assume that they wouldn't have comprehensively authenticated the mileage as part of their normal pre-sale checks, even though this thread suggests it could be done with relative ease?

I know there are no discrepancies on the HPI Report but didn't realise you can drill deeper into the car's electronics to establish the actual mileage history? Is it a quick and inexpensive check to do and, if so, why is it not a mandatory requirement of all used car sales?
 
That's down to individual dealer practises, some do, some don't, don't worry yourself if there's no discrepancies.
 
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