Fraud epidemic hits Britain’s used car market, research finds

Overall, 16.25 percent of inspected vehicles showed signs of odometer rollbacks or Vehicle Identification Number tampering.

That equates to roughly one in seven used cars potentially concealing undisclosed issues.

The extent of the deception leaves buyers vulnerable to inflated prices and unexpected mechanical failures when purchasing vehicles that appear to have low mileage.

Altering mileage creates a misleading picture of a car’s condition and reliability, warned Dali Ati, head of internationalisation at Carly.

"Mileage manipulation can make a vehicle look newer and worth more than it is, yet underneath it may be much more worn—and that’s where unforeseen problems start," he said.

The company urges motorists to verify vehicles with digital diagnostics before completing a purchase.

Vehicle fraud is widespread across Britain with no significant regional differences.

Northern England experiences rates of odometer manipulation comparable to southern regions, despite differing sales volumes.

Major cities and port towns naturally handle more vehicle transactions, yet the proportion of tampered cars remains steady nationwide.

This consistent pattern suggests organised fraud networks may be operating across the country.