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 Odometer section of the carVertical vehicle history report.

How to interpret odometer 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 activate the toggle button below the graph 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 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.

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 Odometer section of your report, feel free to reach out to our support team or check out our blog post on mileage rollbacks.