Clocking: is this on the rise with private sellers?
The short answer to this question is yes. There has been a surge in the practice in recent years and it’s estimated that there are half a million clocked cars currently on UK roads.
Before we go any further, clocking refers to the fraudulent process of winding back the recorded mileage on a vehicle. One good way to avoid buying a clocked car is by going to reputable dealers, such as TW White and Sons, where they will guarantee the mileage and sell the car with a warranty.
The problem is that on an older car with an analogue odometer, it’s a doddle. It’s quite a bit more complicated on modern cars, but when it can add 25 per cent to the residual price of a car, there are plenty willing to take the risk.
This practice can throw up a load of safety issues, as a fraudulent mileage may disguise the fact that a service is required. Say the car you buy is due to have its cam belt change at 70,000 miles. You believe it to have done 40,000 miles but it has actually covered more like 90,000. If the belt hasn’t been changed, it could go at any time, causing a catastrophic mechanical failure, which will cost a bundle to fix or even render it beyond repair. If it fails when you’re driving down a motorway, you’re going to know all about it, as the drive wheels are likely to lock up – not much fun if you’re doing the national speed limit.
Plus, the only way to clock a modern car, where systems are controlled electronically, is to tamper with the electronic control unit (ECU), which can affect safety critical systems, such as airbags, ABS and traction control.
Spotting a clocked car is easier said than done. But whatever you do get an HPI check, which confirms mileage against the national mileage register, and also checks if it’s stolen, has any outstanding finance or if the car has been written off. If the car doesn’t come with such a check, get one. Don’t think about it, or say you’ll do it later, do it now. There are plenty of companies around and you can usually do it on your mobile phone while you’re at a dealership.
With any car, you want as much paperwork as possible. Service history, old MoTs and receipts will help you confirm the mileage. If the odometer suggests the car has done 20,000 less than the last MoT, drop it like it’s hot.
Other telltale signs are more subtle. On older analogue vehicles, a dead giveaway is if the digits on the odometer don’t line up. Unfortunately, it’s not so easy on newer cars and they’re the ones that are most often clocked, as that’s where the big money is to be made.
Other things to look for are signs of wear that suggest the car may have covered more miles than it purports to: worn steering wheel or pedal rubbers, worn carpet or mats in the footwell and premature wear on the seats or trim are red flags.
And, if in doubt, walk away. There are plenty more cars in the lot.