Today, the EU’s new rules to prevent odometer manipulation have come in to effect, which will make mileage fraud significantly more difficult for fraudsters. This common crime may affect up to 40% vehicles in the used car market. The new Regulation (1) will oblige manufacturers to design and market new vehicle types that are more robust against odometer manipulation.

FIA Region I welcomes this first important step taken by the EU. This legislation is meant to ensure greater protection of the odometer. It is expected to deter tampering by addressing the problem at its source.

FIA Region I recommends specific improvements to this legislation, namely the addition of:

• the development of detailed performance levels for odometers
• a specific methodology for approval authorities to check and validate that the measures taken by manufacturers to secure odometers are effective

More detailed requirements (2) in EU vehicle approval legislation would help ensure the effectiveness of this Regulation. For example, compliance with Common Criteria in UN Regulation No 39 on speedometer and odometer requirements are of key importance to address remaining loopholes. Common Criteria is the driving force for the widest available mutual recognition of secure IT products. It has proven its value in other sectors to increase product security to the best balance between high technical quality and cost efficiency.

[ENDS]

Notes to editors

1. Regulation (EU) 2017/1151
2. FIA Region I proposal to the UNECE on odometer tampering prevention

What is mileage fraud?
Mileage fraud takes place when a vehicle’s odometer has been tampered with to lower the number of kilometres a car has been driven. The crime of mileage fraud affects the public at large, by artificially elevating the cost of used vehicles, sometimes by thousands of Euros. It is a crime that is estimated to affect up to 40% of used cars in Europe. Learn more: https://www.fiaregion1.com/mileage-fraud/

About FIA Region I
The FIA Region I office, based in Brussels, is a consumer body representing 113 Motoring and Touring Clubs and their 38 million members from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The FIA represents the interest of these members as motorists, public transport users, pedestrians and tourists. The FIA’s primary goal is to secure a mobility that is safe, affordable, sustainable and efficient. With these aims in mind, FIA Region I’s work focuses on Road Safety, Consumer Protection, Environmental Protection, and the promotion of Sustainable Motoring. www.fiaregion1.com

Contact:
Andrea Campbell
Head of Communications,
FIA Region I
acampbell[at]fia.com
+32 2 282 0813