Car security Clocking a car's mileage
Odometers still being wound back
Clocking is still a big problem in the UK
Although the new computerised MoT system now logs car mileages at each test, this still isn’t a foolproof way of tracing every car’s true mileage – another way of verifying it’s a genuine buy – and leaves opportunities open for car fraudsters.
Alan Bishop from vehicle history checking company HPI told us: ‘Apart from number plate changes, used car buyers are most likely to encounter a car with a dubious mileage reading.
'Despite digital odometers being commonplace, these are no deterrent against "clocking".
'In 2008, 8% of all cars checked against the HPI National Mileage Register showed mileage discrepancies, up 1% on 2007.
'Clocking is still a big issue for consumers.’
'Mileage correction' common
Peter Stratton of Essex Trading Standards says digital displays are just as easy to clock as analogue odometers:
‘It’s relatively straightforward to get the odometer reset. Numerous websites and classified ads offer “mileage correction” services for as little as £50.
'And it’s easy enough to create a false vehicle history and the impression of a car having been well looked after over its apparently short mileage, even when it may actually have done far more miles and never been serviced.’
