Odometer Fraud Sees 14% Jump in the Past Year

An estimated 2.45 million cars on the road likely have their odometers rolled back, 14% more than last year, according to vehicle history provider CARFAX.

There was just a 4% increase between 2023 and 2024.

“Odometer rollbacks occur when someone alters the mileage stored in a vehicle’s electronic systems to make it appear less driven,” said Faisal Hasan, vice president of Data Acquisition at CARFAX. “As modern vehicles have transitioned from mechanical to digital odometers, tampering has unfortunately become more common due to the wider availability of inexpensive tools. At the same time, a car’s mileage is now recorded more often, which helps us identify discrepancies and better protect consumers.”

Data shows vehicles with an odometer rollback this year averaged a loss of around $3,300 in value.

Top 10 states with the highest number of vehicles suspected of an odometer rollback:

States that saw the largest increase in vehicles suspected of an odometer rollback compared to last year include Montana at 33 percent, Tennessee at 30 percent, Arkansas at 28%, Oklahoma at 25%, Kansas at 24%, New Jersey at 21%, and Florida at 20%.

CARFAX recommends drivers protect themselves from odometer fraud by doing the following:

• Do your research. A CARFAX report can detail a vehicle’s history, check the title, maintenance, and inspection records to compare the mileage on a vehicle.
• Check for potential odometer fraud by entering the Vehicle Identification Number at www.carfax.com/odometer.
• Check for wear and tear on the gas, brake, or clutch pedals.
• Have a trusted mechanic inspect the car before purchase.