Buyers Be Warned: Report Says 20,000 Cars Found With Rolled-Back Odometers

CARFAX Canada is warning used car buyers to be vigilant after 20,642 vehicles were identified with tampered odometers last year.

CARFAX says it is collaborating with the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) to tackle the issue of odometer tampering, which it says cannot be spotted without the help of special tools that licensed mechanics would normally have access to.

The issue is particularly of concern now that more Canadians are turning to the used car market for vehicles, it says.

“A rolled back odometer can leave buyers paying more than a vehicle is truly worth, mask the normal wear and tear that occurs with higher mileage vehicles, and ultimately hide important information about a vehicle’s true condition,” CARFAX Canada President Shawn Vording said.

OMVIC Chief Consumer Protection Officer Jeff Donnelly said the council is encountering odometer tampering with increasing frequency, particularly in cases involving illegal or unregistered sellers.

CARFAX said that while it urges consumers to purchase used cars through registered dealers, those buying from private sellers should always check the car’s history through CARFAX using its vehicle identification number (VIN). They should also always have the vehicles checked by a licensed mechanic, it said.

While OMVIC serves only the Ontario market, each province has its own motor vehicle sales regulator.

CARFAX and OMVIC also laid out additional precautions consumers can take when purchasing used vehicles, including verifying ownership documents and avoiding high-pressure sales tactics often associated with “curbsiders”—illegal, unlicensed vehicle dealers who pose as private sellers to flip cars for profit, often selling misrepresented vehicles.

The organizations also recommend inspecting vehicles in person, avoiding suspicious payment methods, and walking away from deals that appear too good to be true or raise concerns.

CARFAX also warned buyers about other common used-car scams in Canada, including VIN cloning—in which a stolen vehicle is given the identification number of another car to conceal its identity—as well as undisclosed accident histories, hidden salvage vehicles or fake documentation, and outstanding liens attached to vehicles.

The company said buyers who unknowingly purchase vehicles with concealed damage, fraudulent titles, or unpaid debt could face safety risks, costly repairs, insurance complications, legal issues, or even repossession of the vehicle.