Although the Serbian market is full of cars with restored mileage, some owners do not even suspect that they are victims of fraud. Is there a way to determine if the mileage is fake? The average annual mileage of cars in Serbia checked by karVertikal is 20.028 kilometers. In five years, such a car could cover more than 100.000 kilometers. If the mileage on the used car is low, it is possible that the seller has manipulated the mileage to sell the vehicle at a higher price.

Cars with low mileage are in high demand in the car market. However, it is advisable not to rush to buy such a vehicle and check its mileage history.

"Rogue sellers steal mileage on both older and new cars," experts tell carVertical.

According to the data at their disposal, the percentage of vehicles with falsified mileage on the platform in Serbia in the first half of 2024 is 4,1 percent, which indicates that there is still not enough transparency in the secondary vehicle market. Worn parts are also cause for doubt.

A car with high mileage usually also has a lot of worn parts. Squealing brakes, squealing in the flywheel, or any indication that the vehicle has traveled more than the odometer indicates. Of course, a lot depends on how the owner drives and maintains the car.

When choosing a used car, it is advisable to pay attention to the conditions in which it was used. If the vehicle is driven mainly in mountainous areas, its clutch, brakes and engine will wear significantly. Imported cars often have low mileage.

But future owners often find out late that their vehicle, although it has low mileage and is very damaged, only after the purchase.

"Although thanks to imports, buyers have a greater choice of used cars, vehicles imported from abroad are not always in good condition. The possibility of stolen mileage is three times higher for imported cars, says Matas Bouzelis, car expert at carVertical.

Frequent breakdowns may also indicate altered mileage. If the seller claims that the car has traveled 100.000 km, but the actual mileage is twice that, some components will be significantly worn.

Buying such a car can lead to spending a large amount of money on repairs and difficulties in planning its maintenance.

Buzzelis recommends that if you have purchased such a vehicle, it is more cost-effective to sell the car with the mileage returned and buy another vehicle than to constantly repair the old one. A car's appearance can give a good indication of its actual mileage. The more often a car is used, the more likely its interior will wear out.