Inspection misses clocked car

[Hugo911]

So I bought a 997 first gen/gen 1 C2S 2 years ago, did all the research (including on here), bought from a very reputable independent Porsche specialist and even got a pre purchase inspection from one of the top inspection chaps.
After owning it 2 years and a change in jobs, it was time to sell it to a good owner - a friend of a friend. All seemed fine, but when he got his inspection done it revealed the car was clocked.
It surprised me as neither the reputable dealer nor the reputable inspection chap spotted this 2 years ago.
Anyway, the dealer has offered to buy the car back which is a massive relief. Anyone else had a similar experienced or just my bad luck?
Also would you think I should ask the inspection chap for my money back for missing something like this?
Thoughts welcome...

Edited by Hugo911 on Saturday 18th July 13:10

[WindyM]

Sorry to hear this - I didn't realise the digital odometers could be clocked, but I suppose with the right tools anything's possible. Mine's 6 years old and just clocked up 59,000 today yet it always amazes how many much older cars are for sale with just, say, 45,000 - surely other people drive theirs every day too?! Why does mine clock up miles so quickly?! So I understand the temptation.
Anyway, back to your problem, I would say that if the information used today to determine the car was clocked was also available two years ago (and not as a result of the MoT online database), then you'd have a good case to challenge the original inspection. You can but ask anyway...

[Hugo911]

Thanks for your reply. Just to clarify when I say "clocked" I meant there was a discrepancy between the miles on the dash/odometer which was lower than the recoded miles on the internal memory of the car's onboard computer.

Maybe "clocked" is the not the right word and someone can enlighten me.

[Storm996]

The total miles in the ECU is recorded in km as well as showing total hours. The dash display can be changed by pressing a button to show kmph instead of mph.

Are you sure there is no km and miles confusion somewhere?

[arcticGT]

There'll also be a discrepancy between the dash and ECU and also the hour counters in ECU and airbag module.

What were the figures recorded ?

[mollytherocker]

I assume the dealer is buying it back at todays market value.

[t400ble]

WindyM said:

Sorry to hear this - I didn't realise the digital odometers could be clocked

Very easy to do.

[hopeydaze]

t400ble said:

Very easy to do.

Agreed, I had a 996, some years ago, in this situation. A good dealer will run the engine mileage against recorded mileage. They know the acceptable range. If it is outside you are likely to assume it has been tampered with.

[Hugo911]

Thanks for everyone's input.

To clarify it's a gen 1 997.
It is indeed possible to read ECU recoded mileage/KM and compare that to the digital odometer - obviously specialist equipment is needed that dealers and inspection people have.
Discrepancy was about 15%.
Dealer has bought it back, which is a relief.

Looks like some of you have had similar experiences too, but I would have expected my inspection to have picked it up. He didn't, my prospective buyer's inspection DID pick it up and the buyer walked away as you would expect.

I feel that I should ask my inspection chap to refund me for the inspection. Do you agree?

[davek_964]

Hugo911 said:

Thanks for everyone's input.

To clarify it's a gen 1 997.
It is indeed possible to read ECU recoded mileage/KM and compare that to the digital odometer - obviously specialist equipment is needed that dealers and inspection people have.
Discrepancy was about 15%.
Dealer has bought it back, which is a relief.

Looks like some of you have had similar experiences too, but I would have expected my inspection to have picked it up. He didn't, my prospective buyer's inspection DID pick it up and the buyer walked away as you would expect.

I feel that I should ask my inspection chap to refund me for the inspection. Do you agree?

Although I can see your point - why would he? You enjoyed the car for two years, presumably had no problems you can attribute to the discrepancy and the dealer has taken the car back. In what way do you need to be compensated by him?

[Hugo911]

Good question Davek.

I'm still out of pocket as dealer didn't give me the same amount I had agreed for the private sale, I also had to compensate prospective buyer for his inspection on my "dodgy car" and to be honest what is the value of the inspection I had paid £400 when he missed the clocking of the car. Imagine if I'd purchased privately and left with a dud car that I couldn't sell?

[Hugo911]

Let's have a show of hands for consensus...

[Hugo911]

Let's have a show of hands for consensus...

[Bennachie]

Not Seal Grey is it?

[POORCARDEALER]

Sadly plenty of them are clcoked prior to first MOT.

Also, the sophisticated clockers cover all bases, including ecu etc etc

Edited by POORCARDEALER on Saturday 18th July 15:16

[coccodrillo]

If the original inspection stated that mileage would be verified then I think you are justified in asking for at least a partial refund.

[Hugo911]

Bennachie said:

Not Seal Grey is it?

Nope not Seal Grey. But like the other poster said looks like there's a fair few clocked cars out there which is worrying!

Mine seems badly clocked and hence was identified. What if someone properly clocked the car, ie ECU and odometer... Then there's no way of knowing!

[mollytherocker]

Fair play to the dealer I suppose, but it sounds like he bought it for less than the market value?

[Wilmslowboy]

Hugo911 said:

?... I also had to compensate prospective buyer for his inspection on my "dodgy car" .......

Well done OP...I'm sure you didn't have to, but it was the gentlemanly thing to do

[Hugo911]

mollytherocker said:

Fair play to the dealer I suppose, but it sounds like he bought it for less than the market value?

Well I got a little better than the trade in value...