I just bought a 1997 Honda Accord and realized that the odometer and the trip sections of the speedometer weren't keeping count. yesterday I bought and put in a speedometer with around thirty thousand more miles on it and it works great. Am I allowed to do this? Any advice?

 

You can do whatever you want, you should however disclose that the original odometer was inoperative, and the mileage when you acquired the vehicle is unknown, and then document the date you installed the replacement odometer with the mileage at that time.

 

Thanks for the reply, I actually just received the title in the mail and it appears it was already exempt before I bought it. I had no clue but now I'm left guessing as to how many miles my car actually has. Is there anyway to find out when it went exempt?

 

Sounds like you'll have to do some research. Unless you have a complete service history, I would do all the critical things, Timing belt, plugs, oil/fuel filters...etc.
Also might want to have the valves adjusted and have a running compression test done, just so you know the overall health of the motor.

Guess 15k miles a year since new for an estimate of "real" mileage.