Used Car Market Riddled with Mileage Fraud, European Study Finds

The seemingly straightforward process of buying a used car in Europe is increasingly clouded by a pervasive issue: widespread manipulation of odometers. A new analysis reveals a significant gap in transparency, leaving buyers vulnerable to deceptive practices and highlighting the urgent need for a unified vehicle history database.

The problem isn’t new, but its scale is becoming clearer. For years, the European used car market has operated with fragmented data, meaning a vehicle’s history often remains locked within its country of origin. This lack of cross-border information creates a breeding ground for fraud, particularly mileage rollback – the illegal practice of reducing a car’s recorded kilometers.

The Numbers Paint a Worrying Picture

Data from carVertical, a vehicle history provider, shows a stark disparity in odometer fraud rates between domestically sold cars and those imported from other countries. Between September 2024 and August 2025, 2.9% of all used cars had their mileage altered. However, that figure jumps to 6.3% for imported vehicles, compared to just 2.1% for cars that remained within Italy’s borders.

The study also reveals a deep-seated distrust among consumers. Three out of four European drivers fear hidden problems when purchasing a used car, and over a third believe they’ve been victims of fraud at least once. Mileage rollback is a quick way to artificially inflate a vehicle’s value, and alarmingly, sellers aren’t always aware the tampering has occurred – the manipulation may have happened before the car was exported or during the ownership transfer process.

“Different countries have different regulations regarding odometer manipulation, making it incredibly complex to control this issue internationally,” explains Matas Buzelis, an automotive industry expert at carVertical. “Without a shared database of vehicle histories, a car’s past is essentially erased when it crosses a border. This significantly increases the risk of buying a vehicle with a falsified mileage.”

While imported cars only represent 20% of the vehicles examined in the study, they account for a disproportionate share of the fraud. The issue extends beyond Italy, with concerns rising across the continent, even in countries like Latvia, Lithuania, Serbia, and Ukraine, which see higher import volumes.

What to Look For: Red Flags When Buying Used

The days of relying on a car’s origin to gauge its reliability are over. A vehicle’s condition depends on how well it was maintained, regardless of where it was first registered. However, certain warning signs should immediately raise suspicion.

• A price that seems too good to be true: This is often the first indicator of a hidden problem.
• Inconsistencies in the vehicle’s history: Look for gaps in service records or discrepancies in documentation.
• Wear and tear that doesn’t match the mileage: Examine the steering wheel, pedals, and seats for signs of excessive use.
• Tampered seals on the odometer: Evidence of physical manipulation is a clear red flag.

According to the carVertical study, 35% of European drivers have been defrauded when buying a used car and felt powerless to seek redress. A resounding 83% believe vehicle history data should be accessible to all buyers, and over half would even be willing to share their own vehicle data to help combat the problem. There’s also a growing consensus that Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) shouldn’t be treated as private information.

The current patchwork of national systems is failing consumers. Until data sharing becomes standardized across Europe, every cross-border transaction will continue to resemble a reset button, leaving buyers vulnerable to fraud and eroding trust in the used car market. The call for a unified, transparent system is growing louder, and its implementation is crucial to protecting consumers and ensuring a fair marketplace.