As one of Canada's leading sources of automotive data, CARFAX Canada is warning used car buyers to be vigilant as odometer tampering continues to put Canadian consumers at risk.

Last year, CARFAX Canada identified 20,642 vehicles with rolled back odometers, flagged through Vehicle History Reports that were ordered in 2025. Today, CARFAX Canada and the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC) are joining forces to warn Canadians.

Odometer tampering, also known as an odometer rollback, occurs when a vehicle's mileage reading is illegally reduced to inflate its value. It is a serious and ongoing concern for buyers in Canada's used car market and cannot be spotted without the help of comprehensive data and detection tools available through most licensed mechanics.

"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," said Shawn Vording, President of CARFAX Canada. "With many Canadians in the market for used vehicles right now, buyers can take extra precautions like reviewing a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report and having the vehicle inspected by a licensed mechanic to buy with more confidence."

"Odometer tampering is a growing concern, and one we're encountering more frequently in our investigations, particularly those involving illegal, unregistered sellers," said Jeff Donnelly, Chief Consumer Protection Officer at the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council (OMVIC). "As more consumers search for lower-priced used vehicles and look beyond the regulated market, the risk of fraud increases. With easier access to tools that can alter digital odometers, this type of deception is becoming more common. The best way to protect yourself is to buy from an OMVIC registered dealer."

Canadians can help protect themselves when buying a used car by reviewing the pattern of odometer readings in a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report (VHR), along with an inspection by a licensed mechanic to help identify signs of tampering and confirm that the vehicle's wear and tear aligns with the reported mileage.

How to Stay Ahead of Scams

CARFAX Canada and OMVIC recommend the following tips to help avoid used car scams:

Beware of Other Common Used Car Scams in Canada

VIN Cloning or Re-Vinning

VIN cloning or re-vinning is a form of auto fraud where a vehicle's VIN is illegally copied or "cloned" onto another vehicle to cover its identity. In many cases, cloned VINs are used to conceal and re-sell a stolen vehicle, and if you buy one, it could be seized by authorities, leaving consumers to bear the full financial burden and other potential adverse consequences.

Undisclosed History

Beyond odometer fraud and VIN cloning, buyers should also be aware of several other types of undisclosed vehicle history that can lead to serious problems:

A CARFAX Canada customer shared how a Vehicle History Report helped them avoid a costly mistake. Kenny from Alberta said: "We almost purchased a used vehicle and had even negotiated a price. We decided to give it one more check and discovered the vehicle had an odometer rollback issue. Without the report we would never have known, and it saved us a lot of headaches and money!"

CARFAX Canada searches billions of data records across North America and provides comprehensive vehicle history, market insights and vehicle valuation data to help millions of people make decisions about cars.

About CARFAX CanadaCARFAX Canada, a part of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), is Canada's definitive source of automotive information, delivering vehicle history, valuation and service solutions. Drawing on billions of data records from thousands of sources, its products enable used vehicle buyers, sellers and vehicle service providers to make informed decisions. CARFAX Canada is dedicated to transparency and is trusted to provide vehicle history, valuation and service information to dealerships, vehicle manufacturers, consumers, service shops, major auctions, governments, insurance providers and police agencies.

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SOURCE CARFAX Canada

SOURCE: CARFAX Canada

Media Contact: Claudia Jaimes, Manager, Public Relations and Social Media,ACARFAX
Canada,Acjaimes@carfax.ca, +1.519.709.4941

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