Hybrid cars now targeted for odometer fraud in Europe

The landscape of fraud in Europe's used car market is shifting. While diesel models were once the primary targets, hybrids are now coming under fire. According to Carvertical research, in some cases up to one in seven cars, including popular models like the Toyota Prius, are sold with rolled-back odometers. For the used car segment, this represents a significant risk signal.

The reason lies in how these vehicles are perceived. Hybrids are associated with careful driving, low fuel consumption, and conscientious owners. This lulls buyers into a false sense of security. Reports indicate that this very factor makes hybrids a convenient target. Buyers are less likely to check a vehicle's history, which increases the chances of a successful deception.

The situation has already become systemic. In Spain, one in twelve cars has a tampered odometer, with buyers overpaying by an average of 20.5%. Across Europe, total losses are estimated at roughly €5.3 billion annually. Cars priced between €40,000 and €45,000 are the most susceptible to manipulation, as the financial gain from fraud is greatest here.

In 2025, the Ford Mustang, Mercedes Vito, and BMW 3-Series were among the leaders in terms of manipulation volume. However, hybrids are becoming an increasingly attractive target. In some instances, actual mileage is understated by hundreds of thousands of kilometers. For example, the average 'concealment' for a Mercedes V-Class reaches 186,000 km, which completely alters the assessment of the vehicle's condition.

Imported cars are particularly risky, as they more frequently have hidden defects and altered mileage. Against this backdrop, the legal framework in several countries, including Spain, currently does not penalize the act of odometer tampering itself, but only the act of profiting from it.