Twisted mileage is a hidden threat: how often does it occur in cars imported to Ukraine?

According to recent research, imported cars in Ukraine are 1.5 times more likely to have falsified mileage. Find out why this happens, which countries supply the most risky cars, and how to detect manipulation

Take out car insurance "Basiс Kasko" at Visit Ukraine - guaranteed car protection in just 5 minutes!

BUY

Imported cars make up a significant part of the used car market in Europe, including Ukraine. However, along with a wide choice come significant risks that buyers should consider before making a deal.

Finance.ua reports that according to a recent study, Ukrainian drivers should be especially vigilant - cars imported from abroad are one and a half times more likely to have falsified mileage. And this is against the background of the fact that Ukrainian buyers are aware of possible risks, in particular, 75% of drivers are concerned about hidden defects, and 35% of those surveyed have already encountered fraud when buying a car.

How many cars imported to Ukraine have falsified mileage? We tell you in this article.

How many cars do Ukrainians buy at American auctions every week and what factors have the greatest impact on demand can be read here.

This article talked about the brands that are most often imported from abroad.

How common is falsified mileage in cars imported from Europe?

An analysis of vehicle history check reports from September 2024 to August 2025 showed that 9.5% of all cars had signs of falsified mileage. Among cars imported to Ukraine, the falsified mileage rate was 10.2%. For comparison, among cars that were operated only in Ukraine all the time, there were only 6.7% of such cases. That is, the probability of encountering a “falsified” option when buying an imported car is 1.5 times higher.

However, even these figures do not always reflect the real scale of the problem. Since key data – mileage records, accident information, technical inspections – remain in the country of origin, which helps unscrupulous sellers to “reset” the car’s history much easier. Not only end buyers suffer from this, even showrooms may not know that the car had serious damage or odometer correction.

And this despite the fact that a global survey of over 10,000 drivers showed: 46.3% of buyers do not trust used car sellers, are aware of frequent cases of fraud, so the process of choosing a car is stressful and sometimes risky.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Which cars in Ukraine do buyers most often check for twisted mileage?

In Ukraine, 78.4% of cars checked by experts for signs of twisted mileage were imported from abroad, and only 21.6% were local. The more imported cars, the higher the risk of encountering a car with hidden problems.

Important! Most cars come to Ukraine from Western European countries and very often they arrive after an accident or with twisted mileage. That is, the fact that a car was brought from Germany or France is not a guarantee of its perfect condition. Every car has its own story – and not all of these stories are pleasant.

The ranking of the most popular cars in Ukraine as of November 2025 is here.

How often do buyers encounter fraud when purchasing a car?

If the car has been operated in one country all the time, state registries usually have enough data on its technical condition and mileage. But after crossing the border, some of this information is simply lost, and it becomes much more difficult to verify the truth. In general, 35% of buyers reported being deceived when buying a used car.

What is the average mileage of a car?

Previously, experts shared advice on what mileage is considered normal. The average annual mileage in Ukraine is 15,000–20,000 km. So, for a three-year-old car, an adequate indicator is up to 50,000–60,000 km.

If a 3-4 year old car has about 150,000 km, this almost certainly means that it worked in a taxi or was used for commercial transportation - and such cars often have significant hidden wear: from the suspension and gearbox to the engine.

If the mileage is very low - this should alert the future buyer, because here you can come across a situation with a twisted mileage.

How to protect your car after import from abroad?

When you have thoroughly checked the car imported from abroad and become the happy owner of a new car, it is worth thinking about protection on Ukrainian roads. For those looking for a reliable insurance policy, without overpaying for full Kasko, we recommend considering the Basiс Kasko policy - advantageous insurance that covers the most common risks on the road.

What does Basiс Kasko offer?

- Compensation for damage in a road accident - even if you are at fault;

- Protection against natural disasters;

- Coverage of passive military risks (depending on the package);

- Tow truck services;

- Fast online registration.

The policy is suitable for Ukrainians and foreigners, and is also available for cars with any registration. The validity period is from 1 month to 1 year.

Why is it worth applying for Basiс Kasko at Visit Ukraine?

- Favorable rates and transparent conditions;

- Choice of packages for different budgets;

- Registration in a few minutes on the portal.

Don't take risks - protect your car in a few minutes. Buy Basiс Kasko online right now!

The situation with imported cars in Ukraine shows: the demand for favorable offers from Europe is growing, but with it the number of risks is growing. Twisted mileage, hidden damage and "zeroed" history are the most common problems that buyers may encounter. In such conditions, the safety of the purchase depends on the attentiveness and responsibility of the driver himself. Buying a used car can be both profitable and safe - if you do it consciously and using proven services.

Let's remind you! The used car market in Ukraine has changed more than many expected over the past year: some segments are rapidly losing value, while others, on the contrary, are confidently increasing in price. Such multidirectional dynamics reflect not only the preferences of buyers, but also the influence of taxes, demand and supply structure. We have already told you which cars have become more expensive, which have become cheaper and what this means for future buyers.

Photo - generated by Gemini

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.