A new report from CARFAX Canada has revealed widespread odometer fraud in Canada’s used vehicle market, with more than 20,000 vehicles flagged last year for suspected mileage rollbacks.
According to the company:
- 20,642 vehicles in 2025 were identified with rolled-back odometers
- The true number could be significantly higher
Odometer fraud involves illegally reducing a vehicle’s recorded mileage to make it appear newer and more valuable than it actually is.
Cheap Tools Making Fraud Easier
Mike Foster warned that the tools used to manipulate odometers are now easily available online.
He said scammers can purchase rollback devices through sites like Amazon and alter mileage readings with little difficulty.
Ontario Sees Thousands of Charges
Data from Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) shows:
- 2,332 dealers, salespeople and illegal sellers faced charges last year
- Combined fines totalled $1.9 million
- Roughly 1,500 cases involved curbsiders linked to fraudulent activity, including odometer tampering
A “curbsider” is an unlicensed person illegally selling vehicles, often while concealing defects or falsifying vehicle history.
Modern Vehicles Still Leave Clues
Experts say newer vehicles often record mileage in multiple electronic systems beyond the dashboard odometer.
Mechanics using specialized scan tools may be able to uncover:
- True mileage stored in onboard modules
- Mileage discrepancies
- Signs of tampering
How Buyers Can Protect Themselves
Experts recommend several steps before purchasing a used vehicle:
Get a Vehicle History Report
Services such as CARFAX Canada can reveal:
- Previous mileage records
- Accident history
- Ownership changes
Verify the Seller
Buyers should:
- Review seller identification
- Confirm ownership matches registration documents
Ask for Service Records
Maintenance records often contain mileage history that can expose inconsistencies.
Have the Vehicle Inspected
An independent mechanic can:
- Scan electronic modules
- Check for hidden issues
- Detect possible odometer fraud
Buy From Registered Dealers
OMVIC advises consumers to purchase vehicles through licensed dealers for added protections and dispute resolution options.
Fraud Continues to Evolve
Industry experts say manufacturers are improving anti-tampering technology, but criminals continue finding new methods to bypass protections.
The report serves as another warning for Canadians shopping in the used vehicle market to carefully verify a vehicle’s history before making a purchase.