The Odometer Readings on Numerous Pre-Owned Vehicles Are Deceptive | Carscoops

      CarFax estimates that millions of vehicles are affected by odometer rollback fraud, causing unsuspecting buyers to overpay by thousands.

      Currently, an estimated 2.45 million cars on the road have been subjected to this fraud. Buyers, unaware that they are being deceived, end up overpaying an average of $3,300. The availability of inexpensive digital tools has accelerated this type of fraud and made it more difficult to detect.

      For many buyers, mileage is one of the most significant factors when determining the value of a used car. Understanding how a previous owner treated the vehicle can be challenging, and maintenance records can be vague. Therefore, mileage is often seen as an objective metric that provides insight into a car's remaining lifespan.

      However, CarFax warns that this trust in mileage may be misplaced. The company estimates that approximately 2.45 million cars in the U.S. currently have altered mileage, indicating a significant increase in recent years due to a combination of motives and opportunities.

      The Digital Age Increased the Issue

      From 2023 to 2024, CarFax noted a 4 percent increase in odometer rollbacks, which escalated by 14 percent in 2025. This surge is largely attributed to heightened competition in the used-car market, with sellers feeling pressured to gain an advantage by rolling back odometers. Modern technology has only simplified this process.

      "As vehicles have moved from mechanical to digital odometers, tampering has unfortunately become more widespread due to the easy access to inexpensive tools," stated Faisal Hasan, Vice President of Data Acquisition at CarFax.

      CarFax has showcased mileage alteration devices that can be purchased online for $200 to $300, capable of erasing tens of thousands of miles from a vehicle's digital record in seconds. Once modified, the changes become almost undetectable without historical mileage data, as the updated information replaces what was previously recorded.

      The company estimates that buyers end up spending $3,300 more on average for vehicles with rolled-back odometers compared to what they would pay if the mileage were accurate. This estimate does not account for unexpected safety or maintenance costs stemming from unreported mileage.

      Locations with a High Incidence of Odometer Rollbacks

      CarFax highlights that the issue is particularly prevalent in populous states, with California having over 532,000 vehicles suspected of odometer rollback, followed by Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. Nonetheless, smaller states such as Montana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas are experiencing rapid increases as well.

      CarFax recommends utilizing vehicle history reports as a tool to address this problem, emphasizing the importance of checking actual components for signs of wear, premature failures, and unusual indicators based on the vehicle's age.