2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Manipulated speedometers cause the economy an annual damage of six billion euros. The victims of odometer fraud are almost exclusively used car buyers.
In view of the annual economic damage amounting to six billion euros, the ADAC has asked manufacturers to better protect cars against speedometer manipulation by fraudsters. As the ADAC announced in a press release on Thursday, experts believe it would only cost a few euros to make the cars safer and thus reduce the possibility of manipulation. "With around three million new vehicles sold each year in Germany, this additional expense would only correspond to a tiny fraction of the damage that occurs each year," said the automobile club.
Harsh penalties required against counterfeiters
According to the ADAC, every buyer who buys a car with a manipulated speedometer incurs damage of around 3000 euros. If, for example, the toothed belt breaks because of the incorrect mileage because it was not changed beforehand, damage of 10,000 euros can quickly result. According to the police, the economy suffers a loss of six billion euros per year from manipulated speedometers.
The manipulation of a speedometer can be carried out without difficulty, and it is not even necessary to remove the speedometer or other control devices, according to the ADAC. “The devices with which manipulations are carried out are easy for laypeople to use. The victims are almost exclusively used car buyers. You cannot reliably protect yourself against speedometer fraud, because technical evidence is usually not possible,”states the ADAC and supports the demand by Federal Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer (CSU) for tougher penalties for counterfeiters.
In order to achieve a deterrent, the maximum statutory penalty for commercial offenders would have to be higher than the current threat of up to one year, the club demands. (AG / FM)
