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CENTREVILLE, Va., Dec. 10, 2024 ~ According to recent data from CARFAX, odometer fraud continues to be a major issue for used car buyers across the United States. The data shows that over 2.14 million cars on the road may have had their odometers rolled back this year, which is an increase of more than 18% since 2021 and over 82,000 vehicles from just last year.

CARFAX Vice President of Data and Public Policy, Faisal Hasan, explains that odometer rollbacks occur when a dishonest owner or seller alters the mileage displayed on a car's gauge cluster. This can be done for various reasons such as avoiding mileage charges in a vehicle lease or increasing the value of a car. With today's technology, rolling back an odometer has become easier than ever and can be done in just seconds by bad actors.

Unfortunately, this fraudulent practice can result in unsuspecting buyers losing an average of $4,000 in value, as well as facing additional costs for unexpected repairs and potential safety risks. Jimmy Hendon, a driver from Atlanta, shared his experience with CARFAX after discovering that the truck he was interested in purchasing had approximately 180,000 miles instead of the stated 108,000 miles. Thanks to CARFAX's report, he was able to save thousands of dollars and avoid potential headaches.

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The data also revealed that nine out of the top ten states with the most vehicles with rolled back odometers saw an increase this year. Virginia saw the biggest spike at nearly 11.7%, followed by Arizona at 8.0%, and Florida at 6.4%.

To protect themselves from falling victim to odometer fraud, CARFAX recommends several steps for potential buyers. These include checking for potential fraud on their website (www.carfax.com/odo), obtaining a CARFAX report to compare mileage with title, maintenance, and inspection records, inspecting wear and tear on gas, brake, or clutch pedals, and having a trusted mechanic inspect the car before making a purchase.

In an effort to raise awareness about this issue, CARFAX will be conducting a media tour on December 10th, 2024. A CARFAX expert and a mechanic will demonstrate how easy it is to roll back a vehicle's odometer in real-time. Localized data is also available upon request. For more information, please contact Em Nguyen at [insert contact information].
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