- Romania ranks 20th in European used-car market transparency
- One in five used cars has a tampered odometer
- Most Romanian cars are imported and damaged, with average damages of €2,938
- UK leads transparency; France imposes the largest odometer-fraud fines
Romania faces a challenging picture in transparency on the used-car market, according to carVertical. A comprehensive study places Romania near the bottom of Europe in terms of vehicle history transparency and odometer integrity. The data reveal a troubling reality: one in five used cars has a tampered odometer, and more than half show damage.
The study, titled “Used-car Market Transparency Index”, analyzes transactions across Europe and provides a detailed snapshot of the continent’s most and least transparent second-hand markets.
The alarming state of the Romanian used-car market
Romania faces serious transparency challenges in the used-car market. The figure of 20% of cars with reduced odometer readings is a troubling average, with an average odometer rollback of about 50,000 kilometers (exactly 48,090 km). This fraudulent practice not only drives buyers to pay more for vehicles but can also create major problems in planning servicing and maintenance.
Profile of Romania’s used cars
- 67.19% of used cars are imported
- 57.03% of vehicles have been damaged
- The average value of damages is €2,938 (rank 4 in the chart)
- Average age of second-hand cars: 9.19 years (rank 9 out of 23)
These figures place Romania in the high-risk category for buyers of used cars, given the combination of massive imports, the frequency of damages, and odometer manipulation.
Eastern Europe - the epicenter of transparency problems
The European ranking highlights a clear trend: countries in Eastern Europe face the greatest transparency problems in the auto market.
Top countries with the biggest problems
- Latvia (-142.7 points) - 23.6% of cars with modified odometers
- Ukraine (-141.9 points) - over 80% imports
- Lithuania (-108.4 points) - 59% damaged
- Romania (-100.8 points) - the combination of all problems
The phenomenon of massive imports
Ukraine holds the record for auto imports with over 80% of vehicles originating from abroad. Romania sits in 3rd place with 67.2%, followed closely by Latvia (75.5%) and Lithuania (75.3%).
These massive imports create an environment conducive to fraud, because:
- Many cars from Western Europe arrive damaged
- They are repaired and sold as being in good condition
- Tracking international fraud is difficult
- Vehicle history checks become complex
Western Europe sets the transparency standard
In contrast to the Eastern situation, Western European countries demonstrate higher levels of transparency and integrity in auto transactions.
Transparency leaders
The United Kingdom occupies the top position with a transparency index of 126 points:
- 14.5% of cars have modified odometers
- 21% of vehicles are damaged
- The lowest share of imports: 10.7%
Germany ranks second (96.8 points), followed by Italy (90.8) and France (79.9).
The sanctions factor
France stands out for applying the largest fines for odometer fraud—ten times higher than in other Western countries. The result is visible: only 9.6% of second-hand cars have modified odometers.
Central Europe - balance in the middle
Croatia, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia hold middle positions in the ranking, presenting a mixed profile:
Common characteristics
- Moderate odometer rollbacks
- Significant import volumes
- High percentages of damaged cars
Croatia stands out positively with only 10.3% of vehicles with modified odometers, but 69.3% are imported and 56.4% show damages.
Czechia records 50% imports, 51.6% damaged cars and 11.4% with modified odometers.
Methodology and analysis parameters
The carVertical study was based on a comprehensive sample of 23 European countries plus the United States, over a 12-month period. The analysis used six major criteria:
Key evaluated parameters
- Percentage of cars with modified odometer
- Average value of rolled-back kilometers
- Percentage of damaged cars
- Average value of damages
- Percentage of second-hand imports
- Average age of vehicles
Notable records
- Belgium – the smallest percentage of modified odometers: 9.01%
- The United Kingdom – the lowest mean value of rolled-back kilometers: 29,555 km
- Italy – the lowest percentage of damaged cars: 16.62%
- Hungary – the lowest average damages value: €2,638
Implications for Romanian consumers
The results of this study have direct implications for Romanian used-car buyers:
Major risks identified
- 1 in 5 chances that the car has a modified odometer
- Over 50% probability that the vehicle has been damaged
- Increased risk for imported cars (67% of the market)
Recommendations for buyers
- Mandatory vehicle history checks
- Detailed technical inspection before purchase
- Caution with vehicles priced unusually low
- Consulting specialized reports on vehicle history
These data underscore the need for stricter regulation and enhanced consumer education to combat fraud in Romania’s auto market. A comparison with European standards highlights potential for improvement and the need for concrete measures to protect buyers.
