How ‘car clocking’ is costing UK motorists over £800 MILLION every year… and why it is a serious safety risk
A rise in incidences of fraudulent behaviour by sellers of second-hand cars is cheating Brits out of money and potentially putting them in danger
AROUND 2.3 million British cars currently show an incorrect mileage reading on their odometer, an investigation has revealed.
Based on the 37.3 million cars registered to drive on British roads at the end of 2016, this worrying figure has emerged following an investigation into rates of "car clocking" in the UK.
Car clocking refers to the practice of manually altering a vehicle's odometer reading to make it appear as though the car has travelled as shorter distance than it actually has.
Research conducted by automotive data experts hpi found a 25 per cent jump in incidences of clocking in the last three years, with a significant increase in the number of people attempting to defraud second-hand buyers.
They estimate that one in 16 British cars could be giving a false reading.
By lowering a vehicle's mileage reading, sellers are able to add hundreds, and even thousands, of pounds to the value of the car - which according to the new figures could cost motorists and second-hand dealerships more than £800 million each year.
Changing the odometer reading can also pose a danger to drivers, as severe wear and tear could be overlooked or unidentified if a car is thought to have travelled a shorter distance.
According to Barry Shorto, head of industry relations at hpi, an increase in clocking can be largely attributed to the development of digital odometer technology, and the widespread access potential fraudsters have to hacking software.
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“There are numerous reasons why clocking is on the up," Shorto said.
"The continued development of technologies to alter digital odometers, increasingly easy access to this technology via the internet and similarly, the ease of access to mileage adjustment services online, some of whom will behave legitimately, others less so."
Shorto warned second-hand car buyers to proceed with caution and always check a vehicle's history prior to completing a sale.
Motorists are able to cross-check a car's odometer reading through the National Mileage Register, operated by hpi, and instantly identify any discrepancies.
HOW TO CHECK VEHICLE MILEAGE BEFORE YOU BUY
- Log on to hpicheck.com
- Enter GB vehicle registration and email address
- Complete payment
- Cross check National Mileage Register records against the number shown on the car's odometer
“It can be almost impossible to tell a clocked vehicle just by looking at it, which makes a vehicle history check an even more vital form of protection for buyers," Shorto said.
"A clocked vehicle could be hiding serious levels of wear and tear, especially if it has been previously used as a high mileage private hire vehicle for a couple of years, meaning the additional cost of unexpected repairs or even a potentially serious safety threat to driver, passengers and other road users.
"HPI Checks can help protect consumers from buying a vehicle with something to hide, saving them cash and keeping them safe.”
With over 200 million mileage readings, the checks provide motorists with a wealth of additional information about the vehicle they are looking to buy on top of a mileage comparison.
Reports can provide an MOT history, logbook checks, valuation, fuel cost estimates and a record of previous owners.
They do, however, come at a price.
A single HPI check will set you back £19.99, while users can purchase three checks at once for £29.97, for use within two years.