When it comes to a used vehicle’s odometer, what you see isn’t always what you get.

Carfax Canada has joined the Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council to warn used-car buyers to be vigilant for odometer tampering, noting it identified 20,642 vehicles with rolled-back odometers through vehicle history reports ordered in 2025.

Odometer tampering, when a vehicle’s mileage reading is illegally reduced to inflate its value, is a serious and ongoing concern for buyers in Canada’s used-car market, one Carfax said cannot be spotted without the help of comprehensive data and detection tools, available through most licensed mechanics.

“Odometer tampering is a growing concern and one we’re encountering more frequently in our investigations, particularly those involving illegal, unregistered sellers,” OMVIC chief consumer protection officer Jeff Donnelly said. “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.”

In a news release, Carfax Canada said Canadians can help protect themselves when buying a used car by reviewing the pattern of odometer readings in a vehicle history report, 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.

“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, who is president Carfax Canada, which is one of the presenting sponsors of Canada’s Used Car Week that begins on June 16 in Toronto.

Carfax Canada also advised car buyers to be on the lookout for other common vehicle scams, including VIN cloning, also known as re-vinning, in which a vehicle’s VIN is illegally copied or “cloned” onto another vehicle to cover its identity, often in order to conceal and re-sell a stolen vehicle. In those cases, the vehicle could be seized from the buyer by authorities, leaving the unwitting buyer to deal with the full financial burden and other potential adverse consequences.

In addition, the company noted other types of undisclosed vehicle history can lead to serious problems, such as hidden accidents or damage, undisclosed liens and undisclosed salvage/rebuilt branding — also known as “title washing,” when salvaged vehicles are re-sold with fake documentation or a clean title.

Carfax Canada and OMVIC offered recommendations to help used-car buyers avoid scams.

  • Consider buying from a dealer registered with OMVIC or a consumer protection agency in your province — they are required to follow legal and ethical practices. They can be found through OMVIC’s dealer search tool.

 

  • Beware of unregistered individuals, known as curbsiders, who sell cars illegally and might misrepresent the real condition of the car, turn back the odometer or hide major issues.

 

  • Be cautious if the transaction makes you feel uneasy: Illegal sellers and scammers often use high-pressure tactics to rush decisions.

 

  • If buying from a private seller, take extra precautions to verify the owner of the vehicle. Make sure the seller’s identity matches the vehicle’s registration documents.

 

  • If a deal seems too good to be true, do your research and trust your gut.

 

  • If possible, bring a friend or family member. They may notice something you don’t.

 

  • Inspect the vehicle in person, always get a licensed mechanic to inspect the vehicle and take it for a proper test drive.

 

  • Do not leave a deposit or pay in full for the vehicle using suspicious links or apps.

 

  • Check all paperwork and obtain a vehicle history report and VIN fraud check to help verify the vehicle’s history matches with what the seller advertises.

 

  • When in doubt, walk away.