Every tenth car in Denmark has had its odometer tampered with – shows a new study from Carly.
A study by the CarTech company Carly reveals a widespread problem in the Danish used car market: The mileage is manipulated in every tenth car.
On average, the tampered odometers show 42,000 kilometers less than the car actually has on its record.
Mileage is one of the most important factors in a car's resale value. Manipulated mileage means that used car buyers risk paying thousands of kroner in excess – often without even realizing it.
According to Carly, odometer fraud can cost the buyer hundreds of thousands of kroner in loss of value and unforeseen repairs.
Carly has diagnosed more than 60 million cars globally and can confirm that mileage manipulation is a widespread problem throughout Europe – and the Nordics are no exception.
A widespread problem with mileage fraud across Europe
The study shows that odometers have been turned back an average of 42,000 kilometers, which gives an artificially inflated value of the car.
This not only poses a financial risk to the buyer, but can also cause safety problems if the car has far more kilometers than the service history suggests.
On Bilbasen.dk, two identical Skoda Enyaq 80 iV Suite 5d from 2021 can have a price difference of up to DKK 110,000, based on mileage alone. Cars with 30,000-50,000 km cost an average of DKK 274,000, while cars with 80,000-100,000 km on average cost DKK 250,000.
This illustrates how much financial gain there can be for the seller by manipulating the mileage – and how much a buyer risks losing.
Odometer fraud is not only easy to commit, it is also difficult to detect. A car that has had its mileage turned down can be practically impossible to see with the naked eye.
Furthermore, if the fraud is discovered after the purchase, it may be difficult to prove that the seller knew about it, making it difficult to obtain compensation.
To avoid being scammed, experts recommend that you always check the car's history thoroughly before buying it. A review of previous inspection reports, service records, and digital mileage checks can help uncover discrepancies in mileage.
Additionally, an external diagnostic like Carly's solution can quickly reveal whether the mileage has been manipulated.
Odometer manipulation is a form of fraud that costs car buyers dearly. With increased focus on the problem, hopefully more people can avoid being scammed when investing in a used car.
