Clocking

As the mileage of a car affects its price, and many buyers won't think of buying a car that has a very high mileage, some dishonest sellers may tamper with the vehicle's odometer to make it look as though it has covered fewer miles than it actually has. By reducing the apparent mileage, the car will not only become more attractive to a potential buyer, but it will also command a higher price.

How Can You Tell?

Traditional analogue odometers must be removed from the vehicle in order to alter them, and so it is often possible to see evidence of tampering, such as incorrectly aligned digits, fingerprints inside the binnacle, damaged screw heads or scratches in the paint around the screws. However, many modern cars now have digital odometers, which although were originally introduced to help combat clocking, can be altered using software, with no physical evidence of this happening.

Checking for Clocking

It is therefore important to check that the vehicle's general appearance fits in with the stated mileage. For example, the following features may be indicative of a high mileage vehicle:

• Worn pedal rubbers
• Smooth, shiny steering wheel
• Worn, shiny gear knob
• Saggy or well worn seats
• Worn carpets

However, it is relatively easy for a fraudster to replace any of these items, so you must ask to see the car's service history and previous MOTs - this should show you the car's increasing mileage. Again, dealer stamps can be forged, so telephone the garage to make sure that the work was carried out. It is also worth contacting the previous owner (their name and address will be on the registration certificate) to find out how many miles the car covered before they sold it on. One of the best ways to check that a vehicle hasn't been clocked is to invest in a data check from a professional organisation.

Final Warning

It has been known for sellers to clock their vehicles for the viewing process, only to change the reading back to its original value just before the car is collected. It is therefore essential for you to make a note of the odometer reading when you view the car, and then once again when you're ready to take delivery of the car to make sure that the mileage hasn't suddenly increased.

If you have viewed a vehicle that you believe has been clocked, you should contact Trading Standards immediately.

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