Old scam resurges in used car market due to new technology
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In the golden years of our lives, we often look for ways to save money and make smart financial decisions.
One common choice for many Australian seniors is to purchase a used car, which can offer significant savings over buying a new one.
However, it's important to be aware of the potential pitfalls in the used car market, one of which is the resurgence of an old scam with a new technological twist.
Odometer tampering, the illegal practice of rolling back a car's mileage to make it appear less used and thus more valuable, is making a comeback.
Despite being an age-old trick, new technology gave unscrupulous sellers the tools to alter digital odometers with disturbing ease.
This has led to a spike in complaints and a serious warning for all potential used car buyers.
The NSW Office of Fair Trading had taken steps to combat this deceitful practice by launching a free online tool in June last year.
This tool allowed consumers to check a car's registration against the last three recorded odometer readings.
Since its introduction, there have been 588 tampering complaints filed, resulting in three prosecutions.
NSW Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong emphasised the importance of this tool, stating, 'Consumers get a pretty quick indication about whether they're about to get ripped off.'
The prevalence of tampered odometers in the second-hand car market has become so widespread that experts are now urging customers to have any potential purchase independently checked.
Mitchell Pedavoli, an 'inspection doctor' who performs pre-purchase checks on secondhand cars in Sydney's west, reported finding at least one tampered odometer each week.
'The biggest one was on a Skoda—a 150,000-kilometre difference—and my scan tool was able to pick that up,' he revealed.
Mr Pedavoli claimed that older models are the primary targets.
‘I see a lot of Mazda 3s, Toyota Corollas,’ he shared.
In one unfortunate case, a used car dealer in Belmore was discovered to have rolled back the odometers on seven cars by a total of over one million kilometres.
One Mitsubishi Triton, for example, was sold with its odometer reading altered from 227,000km to a mere 156,000km.
The penalties for odometer tampering are severe. Those caught with a tampering device face a $55,000 fine.
Minister Chanthivong has made it clear: 'Fair Trading will prosecute those who are caught.'
As odometer tampering cases surge across Australia, with nearly 600 complaints reported, consumers, especially seniors, are being urged to remain vigilant when purchasing used cars.
This deceptive practice not only affects the vehicle's value but also poses serious safety risks.
Recent reports revealed a concerning trend of odometer tampering resurging, making it crucial for buyers to be aware of the signs and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to this scam.
Have you or someone you know encountered odometer fraud? What are your tips when buying a second-hand car? Share your experiences and suggestions in the comments.
One common choice for many Australian seniors is to purchase a used car, which can offer significant savings over buying a new one.
However, it's important to be aware of the potential pitfalls in the used car market, one of which is the resurgence of an old scam with a new technological twist.
Odometer tampering, the illegal practice of rolling back a car's mileage to make it appear less used and thus more valuable, is making a comeback.
Despite being an age-old trick, new technology gave unscrupulous sellers the tools to alter digital odometers with disturbing ease.
This has led to a spike in complaints and a serious warning for all potential used car buyers.
Advanced technology has reportedly sparked a resurgence in odometer tampering in the used car market. Credits: YouTube / 9 News Australia
The NSW Office of Fair Trading had taken steps to combat this deceitful practice by launching a free online tool in June last year.
This tool allowed consumers to check a car's registration against the last three recorded odometer readings.
Since its introduction, there have been 588 tampering complaints filed, resulting in three prosecutions.
NSW Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong emphasised the importance of this tool, stating, 'Consumers get a pretty quick indication about whether they're about to get ripped off.'
The prevalence of tampered odometers in the second-hand car market has become so widespread that experts are now urging customers to have any potential purchase independently checked.
Mitchell Pedavoli, an 'inspection doctor' who performs pre-purchase checks on secondhand cars in Sydney's west, reported finding at least one tampered odometer each week.
'The biggest one was on a Skoda—a 150,000-kilometre difference—and my scan tool was able to pick that up,' he revealed.
Mr Pedavoli claimed that older models are the primary targets.
‘I see a lot of Mazda 3s, Toyota Corollas,’ he shared.
In one unfortunate case, a used car dealer in Belmore was discovered to have rolled back the odometers on seven cars by a total of over one million kilometres.
One Mitsubishi Triton, for example, was sold with its odometer reading altered from 227,000km to a mere 156,000km.
The penalties for odometer tampering are severe. Those caught with a tampering device face a $55,000 fine.
Minister Chanthivong has made it clear: 'Fair Trading will prosecute those who are caught.'
As odometer tampering cases surge across Australia, with nearly 600 complaints reported, consumers, especially seniors, are being urged to remain vigilant when purchasing used cars.
This deceptive practice not only affects the vehicle's value but also poses serious safety risks.
Recent reports revealed a concerning trend of odometer tampering resurging, making it crucial for buyers to be aware of the signs and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to this scam.
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