Meter Fraud: Recent Occasions Are Not Spared

A study by carVertical reveals that even three-year-old cars can display massively falsified mileage.

Buying a recent used car is often seen as a reassuring choice. Less wear, modern technologies, and sometimes still active warranties: many drivers believe they can avoid unpleasant surprises, particularly odometer fraud. However, an analysis published by the automotive data company carVertical challenges this preconceived notion and highlights that new vehicles are no longer spared.

According to this study focusing on vehicles produced between 2000 and 2023 in France, older models remain statistically the most affected: cars from 2002 show 5.4% of manipulated odometers among those checked. However, the trend is evolving. Recent vehicles have lower fraud rates – 0.9% for 2021 models, 0.8% for 2022, and 1.3% for 2023 – but the extent of the manipulations is much greater. For 2022 cars, mileage is reported to have been reduced by an average of over 165,000 km, a record number that significantly increases the financial risk for the buyer.

The study also highlights the issue of accidents. Vehicles produced between 2004 and 2008 account for the highest proportion of recorded damage, sometimes exceeding 55%. Nevertheless, recent models are not free from history: over 20% of 2023 cars analyzed already show declared damage. Moreover, repair costs have significantly increased, reaching nearly €13,000 on average for the most modern vehicles due to electronic complexity and the cost of parts.

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For used car buyers, vigilance therefore remains essential, regardless of the vehicle’s age. Checking the history, conducting a thorough technical inspection, and having it examined at an accredited center are key steps to avoid mileage fraud and mechanical unpleasant surprises.

Source: carVertical study, February 2026.

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