In Russia, investigators have documented cases where the remaining life of an electric vehicle battery is inflated before a sale. The pattern resembles odometer fraud in the used car market, and the Automotive Services Association has reported these cases as credible signals of a broader problem in the growing used EV sector. Buyers often rely on dashboard readings to assess value, and inflated battery life readings can lead to premium pricing for cars that are not in as good condition as they appear.
Inside the automotive diagnostics community, a diagnostician from St. Petersburg stresses that the battery is the most expensive spare part and a clear indicator of wear. Counterfeiters have developed a sophisticated market around the indicator that shows how much life remains in the traction battery, and the scale of the operation is described as industrial. The aim is to mislead buyers and inspectors during pre sale evaluations by manipulating what the vehicle displays about battery health at the moment of handover.
During pre sale inspections, a device connected through a remote access point can temporarily push the dashboard to show a healthy battery. The manipulation allows the seller to present a car as having a near new battery. After the sale is completed, the counterfeit setup is deactivated and the real battery health is revealed, typically showing a remaining capacity well under fifty percent. The gap between the displayed information and the true condition can trap buyers, exposing them to sudden and costly battery repairs down the line.
The Automotive Services Association has warned that credible cases of this manipulation have been established for Nissan Leaf vehicles. The battery on this model is highly valued, making it a frequent target for handover scams and deceptive practices in the market for used EVs.
Analytical agency Autostat notes that the Nissan Leaf is the most popular electric car in Russia. As of July 1, 2024, approximately 15,500 Leafs were in use across the country, reflecting strong demand and underscoring the importance of accurate battery diagnostics during vehicle transactions.
These issues existed before the updated Chery Tiggo 4 Pro entered the market, suggesting a broader risk in the used EV segment rather than being limited to a single model. Buyers and sellers are urged to seek independent battery health reports, request full diagnostic logs, and verify data with trusted service centers before finalizing any deal to protect themselves from misrepresented battery conditions.