In Portugal, buying used vehicles with adulterated mileage can represent significant additional expenditure on the buyer and cause unexpected maintenance expenses. This practice, known as accounting account fraud, is not unique to the country and is frequent in several European markets, where the price is often the determining factor in the purchase decision.
A study by the Carvertical Automobile Data Company, quoted by finance and current, Executive Digest, shows that the manipulation of mileage is not limited to a specific type of car. Both economic vehicles and high range cars may have altered shames, albeit with different degrees of fraud.
Cheaper cars are not free from risk
In Portugal, approximately 2% of the vehicles valued at less than 5,000 euros had altered mileage. In cars with values between 5,000 and 10,000 euros, this percentage rises to 3.3%, while models between 10,000 and 15,000 euros registered 2.4%.
At the European level, the carvertical indicates that 4.9% of the used cars analyzed in 2024 showed signs of manipulation of the Odometer.
The company estimates that in March 2025, this fraud cost about 5.3 billion euros a year to Europe, including international transactions, which are particularly vulnerable. In Portugal, annual losses are calculated by approximately 71.2 million euros.
According to Matas Buzelis, an expert at Carvertical, “detecting mileage tampering is difficult. Many countries do not share vehicle data, and most records are not electronic, which makes it easier for these practices to go unnoticed. Consulting the full history of the car is the safest way to identify possible changes.”
Luxury vehicles can cause greater losses
Although fraud reaches cars of all prices, luxury vehicles are associated with higher financial losses. Cars valued between 40,000 and 45,000 euros registered a 4.9%fraud rate, while models over 50,000 euros had 2.9%.
The highest value cars attract burns because they offer higher profits from the manipulation of the Odometer.
Tips to avoid cars with tampered mileage
To reduce the risk of buying a handled dolometer vehicle, it is recommended to consult the full history of the car and confirm the mileage records. Be wary of prices far below the market average as they can hide problems or manipulation of the Odometer.
As it refers, the wear of the vehicle may also indicate a mileage higher than indicated. Steering wheel, pedals, changes and upholstery with signs of intense use can be indications that the car has traveled more kilometers than the registered ones.
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