What are odometer readings in a vehicle history report?

Odometer readings are records of the vehicle’s mileage at specific points in its life. They show how much the car has been driven over the years, allowing you to understand its usage and spot any irregularities or potential tampering.

The car's mileage is typically recorded during events like registration, routine maintenance or repairs, vehicle inspections, or ownership transfers. If this data is available, it will be displayed in the Mileage section of the carVertical vehicle history report.

How to interpret mileage data

Car mileage in carVertical vehicle history reports is presented in a graph, showing mileage changes over time. The graph includes dates when the mileage was recorded and odometer readings – the total distance traveled by the vehicle in kilometers or miles up to that point.

Additionally, you can see the typical records line alongside the mileage curve (when available) to learn the typical mileage recorded for vehicles of the same model and year. This lets you see how the car you’re interested in compares to similar models in terms of distance traveled.

What is considered a “normal” progression of mileage?

A typical vehicle accumulates around 19,000 to 24,000 kilometers (or 12,000 to 15,000 miles) per year on average. Therefore, a 5-year-old car normally has up to 120,000 km (around 60,000 to 75,000 miles) on the odometer.

Red flags to watch for

• Sudden mileage drops: If the mileage decreases between two mileage entries, it indicates that the vehicle’s odometer has been tampered with.

• Mileage gaps: Large gaps between two mileage entries may indicate missing records or a lack of regular maintenance.

• Stagnation: Mileage that doesn’t increase as the vehicle ages may suggest that the car is not being used. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it could indicate that the car might have experienced an accident or a major technical failure (e.g., engine issues).

• Low mileage: A vehicle with low mileage may have mechanical issues associated with inactivity. Because of this, such cars may sometimes have unresolved safety recalls, as their owners might not be proactive about getting recall repairs done.

Driving Habits – an extra layer of insights in the mileage graph

Each mileage graph also includes Driving Habits – an additional layer of insights that expands the Mileage section. This feature helps you get a clearer picture of how the car was actually driven, not just how far it traveled.

To show when the car was driven more intensively or less, we calculate the average kilometers per month between the car’s mileage records and compare these intervals to each other. The observed patterns are then categorized into four segments:

• No driving – identifies periods when the car was not used for an extended time.
• Limited driving – shows times when the car was driven less than typical.
• Normal driving – represents typical usage patterns (often meaning steady use and balanced wear).
• Intense driving – points to periods when the car was driven more than average.

For instance, if you find out that the car you’re interested in has periods of little or no driving, it may indicate that it was left unused for a while. While limited or no use may seem beneficial at first glance, it can sometimes lead to aging or wear of parts that aren’t used regularly.

Hovering over a specific segment of the mileage timeline shows the average monthly distance the car traveled during that period.

Note: The driving patterns shown are based entirely on the car’s own history, not on any external benchmarks.

These additional insights can help both buyers and sellers: buyers can better understand a car’s usage patterns, maintenance needs, and potential longevity, while sellers can show responsible ownership, build trust, and justify their asking price.

If you prefer to see only mileage readings, you can hide the Driving Habits section by switching the toggle button off.

What if odometer readings are missing or inaccurate?

In some cases, odometer readings can be missing from the report, or you may find them inaccurate. There can be several reasons for this:

• The vehicle owner may have missed certain events (inspections, maintenance, etc.) that typically record odometer readings, so there is no available data in official databases.
• Missing mileage records could imply that the vehicle wasn’t used for extended periods.
• Inaccurate readings may suggest that the odometer has been tampered with to show a lower mileage than the vehicle has traveled.
• Sometimes, odometer entries may be inaccurate or missing due to administrative errors or reporting inconsistencies from data providers.
• Odometer data may not be available in your country.

Approach any irregularities cautiously and conduct thorough due diligence to avoid potential pitfalls. Ask questions, request service and maintenance records, and seek verification of the vehicle's history to minimize the risk of purchasing a car with hidden issues.

Why is checking odometer readings crucial when buying a used car?

Having access to mileage records allows you to:

• Verify the actual car mileage
• Spot irregularities and rollbacks
• Predict future repairs
• Avoid high-mileage risks

Since mileage is directly connected to a car’s wear and tear, exploring odometer readings can help you better understand its condition, indicate weak spots, and spot potential signs of odometer fraud, which may lead to overpaying and unexpected repairs. Always ask the seller about any suspicions you may have.

Still have questions? If you need more help understanding the Mileage section of your report, feel free to reach out to our support team or check out our blog post on mileage rollbacks.