According to a police report, the damage caused by odometer manipulation is around six billion euros a year. Statistically, the speedometer is said to have been manipulated in every third German used car. By turning back the mileage, the tricksters increase the value of the car. A lot of the data is no longer correct, so that due maintenance work is postponed.
Statistical figures for odometer manipulation
Odometer manipulation is prohibited by law. Nevertheless, there are often police investigations into the reset of the speedometer. According to statistics, the odometer is manipulated in around a third of all used car sales completed in Germany. Incorrect mileage increases the value of the car by around 3,000 euros on average. This adds up to a total damage of more than six billion euros in Germany. If you cannot technically reset the speedometer yourself, you will even find service providers who will help you with this forbidden manipulation. This is a nasty surprise for the buyers of the manipulated used cars.
17 percent of all vehicles in Germany are manipulated – in the upper middle class even 21 percent. mycarly.com
How does speedometer software work?
The speedometer used to be turned back using the kilometer roller, but now everything is done using the on-board computer. Therefore, the fraudsters also work with a corresponding speedometer software. This makes it even easier to reduce the mileage before selling the car.
Older vehicles often do not yet have the security technology and secure software functions that can prevent speedometer fraud. The manipulation devices developed for this purpose are easy to use and are even openly for sale. It only takes seconds for the mileage to be turned back, and the car can already cost 1,000 euros more. The speedometer does not even have to be removed for this. The device is simply connected to the diagnostic plug and the desired setting can be made. When new vehicle electronics emerge, the appropriate software updates are always available, and the fraud can continue.
Detect odometer manipulation
Beware of fraudulent speedometer reset
If you want to buy a car, you should make sure that the speedometer has not been reset here. There are various situations in which manipulation can be expected:
- right before the used car sale,
- before a vehicle check,
- for warranty claims,
- in connection with the return of the lease.
A look at the history of the vehicle can help you identify the odometer manipulation. Are the numbers realistic or does the seller have no explanation for the low mileage? In connection with the standard maintenance service, you can determine whether the odometer reading is credible.
Consequences of the speedometer reset
It becomes problematic when you as a buyer believe that there is still plenty of time for the next timing belt change, but the speedometer has been reset. The actual mileage then requires a replacement, which you cannot know. Unfortunately, modern vehicles are not tamper-proof, so you should have the used car checked in the workshop as a precaution. Otherwise it can happen that the toothed belt tears and an expensive engine repair is due.
The odometer manipulation appears to be simple and relatively inexpensive, allowing the scammers to make a profit. However, it is a criminal offense to carry out such a fraudulent deception. The perpetrators have to pay a fine. In severe cases, it can even lead to imprisonment. A prison sentence of up to five years is possible, depending on the conditions.
Take action against the speedometer reset
Illegal odometer manipulation is now being specifically combated in some countries. In Belgium there is a car pass for used cars, through which the history of the car can be traced. In addition to the mileage, buyers can find out more about the inspections here. This data is stored in a central database set up for this purpose.
Vehicle data is also collected at a central location in the USA. The CV of the cars can be downloaded online if the buyers have the VIN. There is no such system in Germany. According to current legislation, information such as the vehicle ID number falls under the Data Protection Act. Nevertheless, the automobile clubs and some monitoring organizations are demanding stricter regulations to protect used car buyers.