Be alert for ‘clocked’ vehicles

The practice of clocking a car or motorbike – adjusting the mileage reading to make it worth more – has been around for a number of years, and was in fact made easier with the introduction of digital odometers which removed the traditional tell-tale signs, as well as a surge in the number of so-called ‘mileage correction firms’ popping up that would alter a vehicle’s mileage no questions asked.

However in recent years, HPI had seen a drop in the number of mileage discrepancies uncovered by consumer checks, which was a positive sign that consumer vigilance might be winning the fight against the clockers – hopes which have now been dashed with these latest statistics. In fact, based the SMMT’s used sales figures for 2013, HPI estimates there could be as many as 486,000* vehicles with a false mileage on the road in the UK.

Shane Teskey, Senior Consumer Services Manager for www.hpicheck.com, comments, “These are really shocking statistics and represent a worrying trend. Dodgy sellers will take advantage of any angle they can when offloading a vehicle and clocking is one of the easiest ways they can make a fatter profit.

“But it’s not just an issue of money with clocked vehicles, there is also a safety concern. Any vehicle that has done a lot more miles than the owner realises could have components that have been excessively worn, even if it looks okay to the naked eye. Plus these are likely to have missed out on their scheduled servicing, meaning a mechanic missing vital signs of wear and tear.”

Teskey concludes, “While the rise in mileage discrepancies we’ve seen is a worry, consumers can help stop the clockers by simply being more aware and conducting the appropriate checks before purchasing a used vehicle. This is one of the oldest cons in the book, simply because it is so easy to do and is so profitable, but by the same token it is easy for consumer to be vigilant and conduct a history check. If they do so we can stop dodgy sellers making a fast profit duping buyers.”

In addition to confirming whether a vehicle is stolen, has been written off or there is finance outstanding, the HPI Check includes a mileage check against the National Mileage Register as standard, now with over 160 million mileage readings – making it the most comprehensive protection against buying a clocked vehicle available. In addition, the HPI Check offers a Guarantee of up to £30,000** in the event of the information it provides being inaccurate or incomplete.

For further information visit www.hpicheck.com or call 0845 300 8905
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*Based on 7.15% of the total of 6,806,187 sold in 2013 being clocked