According to the German automobile club ADAC, one in three used cars is sold with a tampered odometer. The damage for buyers: higher repair costs, lower resale value and, in the worst case, a risk of accidents due to worn components.
What is odometer tampering?
When “winding back”, the digital mileage is reduced using software or an OBD device – possible in a few minutes and hard to detect without checking the right documents.
Signs in the listing
“km laut Vorbesitzer” or “km laut Tacho” (mileage according to previous owner / odometer): the seller expressly distances himself from the stated mileage. A clear warning sign.
Unusually low mileage for the year and price: an 8-year-old diesel with 45,000 km at a strikingly low price – that rarely adds up.
No or incomplete service book: if service intervals are missing, the real mileage cannot be traced.
Signs on the vehicle
Wear doesn’t match the mileage: worn pedal rubbers, frayed seats, scored steering wheel grips – unusual for a supposedly low-mileage car.
Tyre age: depending on driving style, tyres last 30,000–50,000 km. If the car is already on its third set at a displayed 40,000 km, something is wrong.
Brakes and discs: with low mileage, brake discs should show hardly any grooves. Deep scoring on a supposedly little-driven car is suspicious.
How to protect yourself
Have the listing analysed: InseratCheck automatically checks the listing text and structured data for inconsistencies – including suspicious mileage figures.
Check the vehicle identification number (VIN): the VIN lets you trace the vehicle’s history. Workshops can look up earlier service mileages in manufacturer databases.
Have the vehicle inspected on site: InseratCheck arranges inspection appointments at independent partner workshops – the safest method before you buy.