According to the Truth In Mileage Act, what does the term "mileage" refer to?

The term "mileage," as defined by the Truth In Mileage Act, refers specifically to the actual distance the vehicle has been driven. This is crucial because the legislation was established to protect consumers from odometer fraud, which can occur when a vehicle's odometer is tampered with to reflect a lower mileage than what has actually been driven. By identifying "mileage" in this way, the Act ensures that buyers have access to accurate information regarding the usage and wear of a vehicle, enabling them to make more informed purchasing decisions.

In contrast, other options do not accurately represent the definition under the Truth In Mileage Act. Estimated mileage reported by the dealer or projected mileage for the upcoming year do not reflect the actual usage of the vehicle, which is the key concern in this regulatory framework. The total miles on the vehicle could be considered synonymous with actual distance driven, but specifying "actual" clarifies that this figure must be verified against the odometer reading to ensure accuracy and prevent misrepresentation. Thus, the correct understanding of "mileage" aligns with the importance of transparency and honesty in vehicle sales.