No person shall misrepresent the mileage of a motor vehicle so as to show a lesser mileage reading than recorded by the instrument, or when the vehicle is in use, by disconnecting the odometer or by interfering with its normal operation in any other way; provided, however, that this shall not be construed to prevent the service, repair or replacement of an odometer which by reason of normal wear, use or through damage requires service, repair or replacement.
(1952 Code § 26-7-50)