Automobile. Odometer fraud: which cars are most at risk?

Misleading mileage remains one of the most common scams in the used car market. And it's low-cost vehicles that are the most likely targets of fraud.

According to a study by carVertical, 3.2% of used cars priced under €5,000 on the road in France have had their odometers tampered with. This rate is higher than that observed for models priced between €5,000 and €10,000 (2.7%), or €10,000 and €15,000 (1.9%).

This trend is also reflected across Europe: 4.9% of used cars have false mileage, particularly in cross-border sales.

Scammers target buyers in a hurry or looking to save money, who sometimes neglect to check the vehicle's history. By artificially reducing mileage, they inflate a vehicle's value far beyond its actual wear and tear.

Colossal losses at the top of the range

While premium models are less affected proportionally, the financial losses are much greater. According to carVertical, up to 2.2% of used cars sold between €40,000 and €45,000 have a tampered odometer.

A service call on a €50,000 sedan can cost the buyer several thousand euros, not to mention the mechanical risks associated with actual wear and tear on the vehicle.

How to protect yourself?

Faced with fraud that is difficult to prove, experts recommend consulting the maintenance history and mileage records, the only reliable ways to detect an inconsistency. Examining the vehicle's general condition also remains a good indicator: steering wheel, pedals, or seats that are too worn for low mileage should raise alarm bells.

Finally, be wary of overly attractive ads or pushy salespeople: a “good deal” can quickly turn into a trap.