Kilometer fraud is still extremely popular in used cars. A new British survey now reveals the cars that are most often rewound to 'rejuvenate'.
Odometer manipulation, also known as mileage fraud, is a widespread problem in the automotive industry. A new study has revealed the car models most frequently affected by this phenomenon.
The study shows that certain car brands and models are more often cheated back to a nicer mileage figure than others.
Rewinding a car is not illegal per se. And there can be many good reasons for it. For example, in the case of a new engine or just a new speedometer.
But it becomes illegal if the car is resold and the new owner is not notified that the speedometer has been rolled back.
Latvia is the country in Europe where odometer fraud is most prevalent. Almost a third of all used cars sold in Latvia do not display the correct mileage.
The Volvo V70 is the car model most often subject to mileage fraud in Latvia.
In Germany, the problem is almost as big. German car brands like Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen are the most popular to be exposed to this kind of thing.
This is because these brands generally have a high value on the second-hand market.
The Toyota Prius, which is often used as a taxi, is another model that often has its odometer tampered with. Since taxis travel long distances, tampering with the odometer can increase their value on the used market. At least if you don't look carefully.
CarVertical, a platform that collects history about individual cars, also warns car buyers that mileage fraud is something they should be particularly aware of.
The Citroën C4 is the car model least prone to mileage fraud. Only a small percentage of Citroën C4 cars sold have had their speedometer trip counter rewound.
The car models most often subject to mileage fraud internationally are:
- Audi A6
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- Volkswagen Touareg
- BMW 5 Series
- Volkswagen Passat
- Peugeot 508
- Audi A4
- Opel Insignia
- BMW 3 Series
The countries where mileage fraud is most prevalent, and the most affected car brands in these countries, are:
- Latvia: Volvo V70
- Romania: Toyota Prius
- Lithuania: Toyota Prius
- Ukraine: Toyota Avensis
- Poland: Toyota Prius
- Czech Republic: Volkswagen Golf
- Italy: BMW 5 Series
- Slovakia: Fiat Ducato
- Portugal: Citroen DS3
- Croatia: BMW 1 Series
- France: Jeep Grand Cherokee
- United Kingdom: Range Rover
- Finland: Skoda Octavia
Mileage fraud is a serious problem that can affect both buyers and sellers of used cars. It is important to be aware of this phenomenon and take the necessary precautions when buying a used car.
To avoid being scammed by mileage fraud, it is advisable to have the car checked by a mechanic who can verify the authenticity of the odometer. You should also investigate the car's history and any previous owners.
