An Ontario man says he was shocked to learn the odometer on his used pick-up truck had been rolled back by more than 40,000 kilometres, despite a clean vehicle history report at the time of purchase.
Gabriel Graziano purchased a 2019 Ford F-150 from a dealership in 2023 after checking the CARFAX report, which showed no mileage issues. However, when he attempted to trade in the truck this summer, he was informed the odometer had likely been tampered with.
“I was completely taken aback by it,” said Graziano, who now faces a loss in resale value. The truck currently shows 153,000 kilometres, but actual mileage is believed to be closer to 197,000. Graziano estimates the rollback reduced the truck’s value by $5,000 to $10,000.
CARFAX Canada later confirmed that new data sources revealed historical service records not available at the time of Graziano’s purchase. “After further investigation, we believe there is a strong possibility this vehicle’s odometer has been rolled back. We are working closely with the individual and apologize for any delays caused by this error,” a CARFAX spokesperson said.
Graziano is not alone. Another buyer, Dennis Estevez, purchased a truck that showed 184,000 kilometres but was later found to have actually logged 320,000.
The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) warns odometer fraud remains a serious issue. Consumers are urged to obtain a CARFAX report, a Used Vehicle Information Package from the Ministry of Transportation, and have vehicles inspected by a mechanic before buying. OMVIC says buyers who purchase from registered dealers may be eligible for compensation through the Motor Vehicle Dealers Compensation Fund if odometer tampering is discovered.
After media inquiries, Graziano said the dealership where he bought the truck agreed to provide him compensation.