Be careful when looking for these second-hand cars: They may have altered odometers

2024-02-02 13:00:01
While the used car market has become more transparent over the years, odometer manipulation is still prevalent around the world. And buyers lose millions of euros at the hands of dishonest sellers, a situation that does not seem likely to change drastically in the short term. Thus, in Spain, the Porsche Panamera is the car with the most alterations in the odometer: 13.1% of all models checked in carVertical (after evaluating real reports of the history of vehicles purchased from November 2022 to November 2023) had the altered mileage. These are significant numbers, as they suggest that one in every seven Panamera in the country could have its original mileage falsified. The Audi A7 (10.87%), the Porsche Cayenne (7.85%), the Volkswagen Touareg (5.19%) and the BMW 7 Series (5.08%) follow closely behind. In detail, among the 20 models with the most altered odometers in Spain, Audi has manufactured five of them. There is a strong demand for high-end used vehicles in good condition, which explains why Audi cars are popular with scammers. Related News standard Yes The new registration rate returns to pre-pandemic levels with crisis sales Juan Roig Valor Despite selling 24.2% less than in 2019, the registration tax shot up by 55.2% in 2023 «On the 4th .62% ​​of all cars reviewed on carVertical in Spain had altered odometers, and the average odometer rollback value was more than 84,000 kilometers. Getting a car with an altered odometer always translates into unpredictable running costs and faster depreciation of the car,” explains Matas Buzelis, head of communications at carVertical and automotive expert. It is often easier to reverse odometer readings on modern vehicles, as they require less physical interaction. Since everything is connected, it’s just a matter of equipment for criminals to adjust the odometer and artificially increase the value of a vehicle. Experts warn that without digging into a car’s history it can be difficult to detect mileage declines. Likewise, among the 20 cars with the most alterations in the odometer in Spain, 13 of them are considered high-end. This means that economy class vehicles are altered less frequently. Manipulating the odometer readings of luxury brands such as Audi, Volvo, Porsche, Land Rover or Mercedes-Benz allows scammers to make more money. After all, they are not going to risk being caught by the authorities for only a profit of several hundred euros by selling a compact car with a tampered odometer. Lower purchase risk The BMW 2 Series is the car with the least alterations in the odometer on the list, with a share of 1.48%. That is, purchasing the Porsche Panamera is almost 9 times more risky than buying the 2 Series. The BMW 4 Series (1.78%), the Opel Astra (1.8%), the Audi Q7 (2.24%) and The Peugeot 308 (2.5%) are also among the vehicles with the least setbacks in mileage. MORE INFORMATION news No Recycled tires to create earthquake-proof concrete news No This is how manufacturers, dealers and workshops adapt for the definitive takeoff of the electric car When looking for a used vehicle, no one can be safe from scammers. Therefore, it is important to check the car’s historical mileage and damage records. To mitigate the chances of getting a vehicle in poor condition, it is also recommended to take it for a test drive and visit a reputable dealership to have it inspected. Otherwise, buyers risk losing money and compromising their security.
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