Cases Of Manipulation Of Used Car Odometers Increase In The US

Photo illustration. (Doc. Pexels)

JAKARTA - Buying used cars has to be extra careful. A recent report from CARFAX reveals that the manipulation of the odometer on used cars is a serious concern. According to the report, it is estimated that more than 2.14 million vehicles on the streets of the United States (US) in 2024 will have the potential for falsified travel distance indicators. This shows an increase of 18 percent since 2021 and is a big problem in the used car market, costing buyers thousands of dollars due to selling prices that exceed their supposed price.

Launching the Autoblogging report, Thursday, December 19, modern technology makes it easier to manipulate an odometer than before. The perpetrator of the crime only takes a few seconds to change the records of the car's distance.

"The manipulation of the odometer is usually carried out by unauthorized car owners or sellers to change the numbers listed on the car instrument panel," explained Faisal Hasan, Vice President of Data and Public Policy at CARFAX.

He added that this might be done to avoid additional costs based on the distance traveled to the car rental contract or to increase the selling value of the car drastically.

Unsuspected buyers could lose an average of 4,000 US dollars (approximately IDR 65 million) due to the manipulation of the odometer number. The car usually also has a much more severe level of wear than advertised, leading to unexpected repair costs and potential security risks.

The manipulation of the odometer is not a localized problem. Nine of the top ten states with the highest cases of odometer manipulation in the United States have increased this year. Virginia recorded the sharpest increase, which was nearly 11.7 percent, followed by Arizona at 8.0 percent and Florida at 6.4 percent. This statistic emphasizes the importance of careful inspection for buyers in the used car market.

In addition, physical clues such as excessive wear on the gas pedal, brakes, or coupling can also be an indicator that the car has a longer distance than advertised. Requesting reliable mechanics to check the vehicle can also reveal inconsistency and ensure the condition of the car is in accordance with the reported distance.