Determining mileage on a van

wrote:
> I'm considering buying a late 70s Dodge van which the seller indicates
> has a little over 110,000 kms on it. THat's what the odometer reads.
> However, this van has a 5 digit odometer, so I'm concerned that it may
> have gone around more than once. THe VIN of this van is not the modern
> 17 character version, so I can't run a carfax on it to get an
> indication of mileage. There aren't any service records that come with
> the van.
> So: how would you go about trying to determine if the mileage is indeed
> what is being reported? Some things I thought of:
> - check windshield pitting (will have a lot of small pits on high
> mileage vehicles; I know because I own a couple of vehicles with over
> 200,000 miles)
> - check condition of brake and gas pedal rubber (again, will be more
> worn if vehicle has a lot of miles on it)
> - I suppose engine compression and leakdown test would be an indicator
> of engine wear
> - wear and tear on driver's seat
>
> ANy other tell-tale areas you can think of?
> Thanks!

Well, check for general looseness when you drive the car. The door
hinges, locks, window cranks, etc., will probably exhibit a lot of
looseness and rattling on a high use car. Also look inside the valve
cover for a buildup of sludge. If the car was driven in snow areas I
would be very very concerned about body and frame rusting. Those old
vans are notorious for rusting out at the slightest hint of moisture.
But more important is that this is a 30 year old van with only 110,000
km or 3,600 km driving per year. Possible for a van I suppose, but
unlikely.