What odometer reading is normal for a new car?
A genuinely new car should show almost nothing on the odometer. A high reading can mean test drives, a prior failed delivery, or the car being driven between locations.
Every car accumulates a few kilometres between the factory, transport and dealer yard. But there's a normal range - and a point where you should start asking questions.
What's normal vs suspicious
- Under ~50 km - normal for a new car
- 50–100 km - acceptable but worth a quick question
- Over 100 km - suspicious; ask for a written explanation
What a high reading can mean
- The car was used for repeated test drives
- A previous buyer's delivery fell through and it was driven back
- It was driven between dealership locations or for "preparation"
Excuses not to accept
Common lines and why they don't hold up:
- "It's from quality testing" - quality checks don't need 100+ km
- "We drove it for your preparation" - that's excessive for prep
What to do about a high reading
- Photograph the odometer
- Ask for a written explanation of the reading
- Negotiate a discount, an extended warranty, or a different unit with lower km
Record the odometer in your PDI →
Frequently asked questions
How many km should a new car have at delivery?
A new car should typically show under 50 km. Up to about 100 km can be acceptable, but anything over 100 km is suspicious and deserves a written explanation from the dealer.
Why does my new car already have 100+ km?
It may have been used for test drives, driven between dealership locations, or returned after a previous buyer's delivery fell through. Ask for a written explanation and negotiate compensation.
Can a dealer roll back the odometer?
Tampering with an odometer is illegal. If a reading looks inconsistent with the car's condition or manufacturing date, document it, raise it in writing, and escalate if unresolved.