MILEAGE FRAUD IN THE SALE OF USED CARS: HOW TO DEAL WITH IT?
The economic impact on consumers and the automotive industry

Mileage fraud is a serious problem in the sale of used cars. The consumer who pays too high a price for his vehicle is obviously the first victim, but in addition to this the automobile sector suffers from the effects of unfair competition and the damage done to its image as a result of these cases of tampering and manipulation.

In order to adopt an efficient approach to this problem, the authorities and the automobile sector in Belgium have joined forces and developed the CAR-PASS system. Whenever any work is done on a car or a light commercial vehicle, the professional in question is obliged under Belgian law to report the mileage and the chassis number to a central database. This database is managed by the non-profit-making organisation CAR-PASS. Anyone selling a second-hand vehicle is legally obliged to give the buyer a certificate which contains an overview of the reported mileages, so that the buyer can ascertain what the vehicle's real mileage is. The system has proven to be effective and mileage fraud has decreased very substantially in Belgium .

But of course fraud does not stop at the Belgian borders. The purpose of this conference day is to exchange viewpoints from all stakeholders and best practices in the fight against mileage fraud within the European Union. The results of an assessment of the economic impact of mileage fraud will be presented in detail. Participants will be invited to reflect together with the European Commission on ways of dealing with this problem more efficiently and effectively in the future.

Who should attend?

Used car traders, car dealers, remarketing staff from leasing and rental companies, remarketing staff from car manufacturers and importers and their professional associations. Representatives for motorists' associations and consumers' organisations. Representatives from companies operating in the field of road vehicle inspection.
Officials from public services dealing with car crime, such as police forces, economical and financial inspection, justice department, etc.
Officials dealing with consumer protection
Journalists covering automotive and fraud related topics

09h00 Welcome - Olivier Goies, CAR-PASS, BE

09h05 A voice from the European Parliament - Frank Engel, European Parliament EU

09h25 The problem of mileage fraud and its impact on the different stakeholders (I)

11h00 The problem of mileage fraud and its impact on the different stakeholders (II)

11h55 The Belgian legislation to combat mileage fraud - the CAR-PASS system - Francis Deryckere - FOD Economie, BE

12h15 Study of the economical impact of mileage fraud and cost benefit analysis of the CAR-PASS system
          Michel van Roon, CRM used car management B.V., NL

13h00 Lunch

14h00 Other solutions to deal with mileage fraud

15h00 Support for an anti mileage fraud policy

15h40 Discussion

15h50 The point of view of the EU Commission
          Isabelle Kardacz, European Commission - DG MOVE, Road Safety Unit

16h25 Closing reception