Denmark used car market faces widespread odometer fraud

An analysis of vehicle inspection reports in Denmark reveals widespread odometer manipulation in the used car market. Data from the Danish Road Safety Authority’s Motor Register indicates that approximately one in fifteen used cars—roughly 6.75 percent of the total stock—is suspected of having its mileage tampered with.

The prevalence of fraud increases with the age of the vehicle; for cars at least ten years old, the suspected proportion rises to 10.2 percent. The Danish Road Safety Authority reviewed inspection reports for 1.6 million vehicles that have undergone at least two inspections, identifying 111,528 vehicles with suspicious mileage patterns.

Consumers can verify a vehicle’s history for free by checking its license plate in the Motor Register or through third-party services. A primary indicator of manipulation is a decrease in recorded mileage between consecutive inspections, as mileage should increase steadily over time.