- Used-car sales hit a record 655,804 in 2021 amid an aging fleet.
- 80% of Romania’s cars are over 10 years old; average age 16.
- Most used cars are imported, with 25% from Germany, raising fraud risk.
- Fraud schemes include odometer rollback, hidden damages, and damaged histories.
The Romanian used-car market is undergoing a major transformation, marked by rising transaction volumes and, unfortunately, by a proliferation of scams.
In 2021, Romania recorded a record 655,804 used vehicles sold, a figure that reflects both the growing demand for affordable cars and the impact of the semiconductor shortage on new-car sales. In this context, dealers and auto representatives face a major challenge: identifying quality vehicles in a market where manipulation is commonplace.
Context of the Romanian used-vehicle market
Romania’s auto market has unique characteristics that set it apart from the rest of Europe. According to Darius Madadi, CEO of Radacini Group, Romania has one of the lowest motorization rates in the European Union, and the national car fleet is significantly aging.
Age of the Romanian car fleet
The numbers are alarming and reveal a reality that facilitates fraud:
- Average age of vehicles in Romania: 16 years (vs. 10 years in the EU)
- 80% of the car fleet is over 10 years old
- Only 3% of cars are up to 2 years old
- 28% of vehicles are over 20 years old
This aging fleet creates a constant demand for used vehicles at affordable prices, a context in which scammers thrive.
Dependence on imports
The overwhelming majority of used vehicles registered in Romania come from abroad, with 25% arriving from Germany alone. This import dependence significantly increases the risk of fraud, as vehicle histories may be harder to verify, and manipulations performed abroad can go unnoticed.
Fraud schemes specific to the Romanian auto market
The used-car market is affected by numerous fraudulent practices that affect both dealers and consumers.
Odometer rollback
This is probably the most widespread form of fraud. Vehicles imported from Western Europe are often “youthened” by odometer modification, allowing sellers to price them much higher than their real value.
Darius Madadi explains: “Odometer rollback and hiding past damages are things that happen frequently. Fortunately, reports that present the vehicle’s history help a lot.”
Hidden damages and improper repairs
Another major problem consists of vehicles that were involved in serious accidents or sustained significant structural damage, then repaired improperly and sold as being in good condition.
Patricia Corlade, CEO of Elite Cars Leasing Romania, confirms: “Hidden issues and unpleasant surprises can occur with both cars imported from abroad and those bought in Romania. Using history reports, we have already uncovered several severely damaged cars whose owners claimed they were never damaged in the past.”
Stolen vehicles or with legal histories
Some vehicles reach the Romanian market with problematic histories:
- Stolen cars from other countries
- Vehicles with liens or unpaid debts
- Automobiles from floods or natural disasters
- Cars with circulation restrictions in the country of origin
How professional dealers protect themselves
Serious auto companies have implemented strict verification protocols to avoid acquiring problematic vehicles.
Multi-level checks
Reputable dealers use multiple validation methods:
- Vehicle history reports – services like carVertical provide detailed data about the vehicle’s past
- Professional technical inspections – mechanical checks conducted by specialists
- Document validation – verifying the authenticity of documents and their correspondence to the vehicle
- Verified procurement sources – buying only from trusted auctions, authorized partners, or reputable leasing companies
Marius Marian, CEO of Țiriac Auto, explains: “We verify the history of each car before buying it. When a vehicle arrives, our specialists inspect it carefully before delivering it to the client.”
Transparency as a competitive advantage
Serious companies have realized that transparency is not only a moral obligation but also a major competitive advantage. Providing comprehensive vehicle-history reports to customers builds trust and differentiates professional dealers from scammers.
Darius Madadi emphasizes: “We provide every client with vehicle-history reports and conduct our own checks on vehicles to ensure that no fraud will affect customers or the company.”
Current market challenges
Semiconductor crisis and stock shortages
Marius Marian from Țiriac Auto warns about the current context: “The Romanian local market is affected by the current socio-economic context. There is a shortage of available cars on local and European markets, especially under 20,000 euros. Prices have risen over the last 18 months, which makes the buying process more complicated.”
This stock shortage increases pressure on dealers to fill lots, amplifying the temptation to buy vehicles with dubious histories.
Innocent owners
A surprising aspect is that many owners selling vehicles are not aware of prior manipulations. Marius Marian notes: “Recently, we had a client who wanted to sell his Range Rover. After we checked the car’s history, we found the odometer had been rolled back, which surprised the owner. He did not know there was a discrepancy between displayed and real mileage and probably bought the car with the odometer already manipulated.”
The role of technology in fighting fraud
Vehicle-history verification services, such as carVertical, have become essential tools for dealers and consumers.
What vehicle-history reports provide
These reports can include:
- Mileage records from multiple countries
- History of damages and major repairs
- Checks against stolen-vehicle databases
- Flood or natural-disaster records
- Number of previous owners
- History of technical inspections
- Checks of liens and debts
Impact on the market
Darius Madadi explains: “Companies providing vehicle-history data are driving positive changes in the used-car industry. This type of service helps promote honest players, remove scammers from competition, and ensure market transparency for buyers. When tricks used to deceive customers are no longer possible, unscrupulous sellers will stop repairing wrecked vehicles and passing them off as good cars.”
Strategies for Elite Cars Leasing Romania
Elite Cars Leasing Romania has adopted a preventive strategy, focusing on:
- Vehicles up to 5 years old
- Mileage under 150,000 km
- Purchases exclusively from verified dealers
- Comprehensive history checks for each vehicle
Patricia Corlade emphasizes: “Every client wants to know as much as possible about the used car they intend to buy, especially if they plan to use it for at least 1 year. Since buying a vehicle is a major financial investment, it is important to understand all the risks.”
Recommendations for buyers
To avoid market traps, buyers should:
- Always request a complete history report - don’t rely on the seller’s word
- Conduct an independent technical inspection - a trusted mechanic can spot hidden issues
- Check documents carefully - ensure the VIN matches the documents
- Compare prices - if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is
- Buy from reputable dealers - although it may cost a little more, warranties and checks are worth the difference
- Be alert to warning signs - new paint that doesn’t match, mismatched body panels, airbags replaced or missing
Conclusion
The Romanian used-car market is at a turning point. With 57.11% of vehicles showing some form of damage, transparency and rigorous checks have become essential to protect both dealers and consumers.
Professional dealers invest more and more in verification technologies and quality-control processes, recognizing that customer trust is the cornerstone of long-term success. At the same time, the increasing availability of vehicle-history verification services provides consumers with the tools to make informed decisions.
While fraud remains a serious problem, the combination of technology, stricter regulations, and rising consumer awareness promises a more transparent and safer market for all participants. Investing in a vehicle-history report and a professional inspection can save thousands of euros and prevent numerous problems in the long run.
Photo source: carVertical.com
