IRVING, Texas — Irving police investigators say they uncovered a large-scale odometer fraud scheme after executing a search warrant at a local auto dealership, revealing that millions of miles had been illegally erased from vehicle odometers.
The Irving Police Department's Auto Theft Unit partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, and Irving Code Enforcement during the investigation.
According to investigators, the search warrant led to the discovery of more than 75 vehicles with altered odometers.
Authorities said more than 6.2 million miles had been rolled back across the vehicles, a practice known as odometer fraud.
Odometer fraud occurs when a vehicle's mileage is illegally altered or misrepresented to increase its value. Investigators noted that a vehicle displaying 60,000 miles could actually have traveled 160,000 miles or more, leaving buyers unaware of the vehicle's true condition and expected lifespan.
Police are reminding consumers to be cautious when purchasing used vehicles and to watch for warning signs of potential fraud, including vehicles priced significantly below market value, sellers using newly created or blank online profiles, cash-only sales, and dealerships that are not licensed by the state.
Customers can verify if a dealership is licensed in Texas by accessing the DMV Dealers List.
Before purchasing a used vehicle, investigators recommend:
- Verify the vehicle identification number (VIN). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a free tool to lookup VIN numbers: https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/
- Obtain a vehicle history report through services such as Carfax or AutoCheck.
- Compare the asking price with fair market values using Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.
- Have out-of-state titled vehicles inspected.
- Use secure payment methods and ensure all required ownership documents are provided.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not released the name of the dealership or announced any arrests or criminal charges.
