What does "odometer fraud" refer to?

Odometer fraud refers specifically to the act of tampering with a vehicle's odometer in order to misrepresent the true mileage of the vehicle. This illegal practice is often done to make the vehicle appear to be in better condition than it actually is, thus fetching a higher sales price. By rolling back the odometer reading, a seller can deceive potential buyers into thinking the vehicle has been driven less than it actually has, which can lead to significant financial loss for the consumer. Odometer fraud is a significant issue in auto sales, as it undermines trust in the used vehicle market and can result in legal repercussions for the seller.

The other options do not pertain to odometer fraud. Manipulating engine performance data involves altering how a vehicle operates mechanically, changing the color of a vehicle refers to cosmetic modifications, and modifying the vehicle’s registration involves legal paperwork rather than the deceptive practices associated with mileage misrepresentation.