Fresh research has uncovered alarming rates of fraud in Britain's second-hand vehicle market, which could potentially be putting motorists at risk.
Research examined over 2.5 million diagnostic sessions from more than 550,000 British users between January and September 2025.
In total, 16.25 per cent of vehicles tested exhibited indicators of odometer rollback or Vehicle Identification Number tampering.
This translates to approximately one in every seven pre-owned cars potentially harbouring concealed defects.
The scale of deception leaves purchasers exposed to inflated prices and unforeseen mechanical failures when buying what appear to be low-mileage vehicles.
Fraudulent mileage adjustments create a false impression of vehicle quality and reliability, Dali Ati, head of internationalisation at Carly, warned.
"Mileage tampering can make a car appear newer and more valuable than it really is. But beneath the surface, it could be far more worn and that's where unexpected problems begin," he said.
The company advocates for drivers to verify any vehicles through digital diagnostics before going through with a transaction.
Experts are warning that millions of cars around the UK could be linked to fraud
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The geographical spread of vehicle fraud extends across Britain without significant regional variation.
Northern England experiences comparable rates of odometer manipulation to southern regions, despite differences in transaction volumes.
Metropolitan areas and port cities naturally process higher numbers of vehicle sales, yet the proportion of tampered vehicles remains consistent nationwide.
This uniform distribution suggests organised fraud networks operate throughout the country.
Motorists are urged to inspect a car thoroughly before committing to a purchase
|CARLY
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Financial pressures and elevated costs for new vehicles have intensified consumer interest in the pre-owned market.
This surge in demand creates opportunities for unscrupulous sellers to exploit unsuspecting purchasers through vehicle tampering.
Carly recommends comprehensive digital verification for all second-hand vehicle transactions, particularly when purchasing from individual sellers or independent dealerships.
These establishments may lack the rigorous checking procedures employed by larger franchises.
Research found that one in seven used cars could be linked to tampering
|CARLY
The prevalence of sophisticated fraud techniques necessitates buyers to adopt equally advanced detection methods before finalising any purchase.
Traditional visual inspections prove insufficient against modern tampering methods that manipulate electronic systems across multiple vehicle components.
Mr Ati continued, saying: "We want drivers to feel informed and in control before they spend their money.
"A quick Carly scan, using the Carly Used Car Check, can uncover these hidden issues in just minutes and the best part? The scanner costs as little as £41, and these checks can save buyers thousands."