The dlt Motivic Zeta Function Is Not Well Defined

Abstract

In arXiv:1408.4708, Xu defines the dlt motivic zeta function associated to a regular function $f$ on a smooth variety $X$ over a field of characteristic zero. This is an adaptation of the classical motivic zeta function that was introduced by Denef and Loeser. The dlt motivic zeta function is defined on a dlt modification via a Denef-Loeser-type formula, replacing classes of strata in the Grothendieck ring of varieties by stringy motives. We provide explicit examples that show that the dlt motivic zeta function depends on the choice of dlt modification, contrary to what is claimed in arXiv:1408.4708, and that it is therefore not well-defined.