BMW Clocked my Car!
Discussion
Hi people
hoping for some advice
Booked my car into a BMW garage for a new instrument pod that contains the rev counter, speedo etc... anyway, got it back, and the mileage had gone back to zero
now, while I like having a new car again, I don't really relish the thought of having to explain to a prospective buyer why the mileage and the service book don't match, but the dealership have washed their hands of it, and say there is nothing they can do (they didn't even make a note of the mileage before they replaced the old unit)
I know for a fact that replacing that unit doesn't zero the mileage (I've had it done before), so feel they are lying to me, or at least fobbing me off with excuses
What should I do? Where do I stand legally on this? Are they allowed to clock my car like this?
Many Thanks
Emm
hoping for some advice
Booked my car into a BMW garage for a new instrument pod that contains the rev counter, speedo etc... anyway, got it back, and the mileage had gone back to zero
now, while I like having a new car again, I don't really relish the thought of having to explain to a prospective buyer why the mileage and the service book don't match, but the dealership have washed their hands of it, and say there is nothing they can do (they didn't even make a note of the mileage before they replaced the old unit)
I know for a fact that replacing that unit doesn't zero the mileage (I've had it done before), so feel they are lying to me, or at least fobbing me off with excuses
What should I do? Where do I stand legally on this? Are they allowed to clock my car like this?
Many Thanks
Emm
I take it the car went in for repair? If so, its their duty to take a mileage reading before it gets worked on. This is to protect themselves as much as customers from accusations that the car has been used for other purposes while in for repair.
Why havent they done this? Maybe cos thats just what was being done, ie, used for something else while supposedly being repaired.
Maybe the instrument pod theyve replaced it with wasnt a "factory new" item perhaps?
Only way to remove the incriminating evidence would be to zero it.
All sounds very very suspicious to me.
Trading standards or head office in germany would be good places to start(franchises only
)
Hope this helps.
Why havent they done this? Maybe cos thats just what was being done, ie, used for something else while supposedly being repaired.
Maybe the instrument pod theyve replaced it with wasnt a "factory new" item perhaps?
Only way to remove the incriminating evidence would be to zero it.
All sounds very very suspicious to me.
Trading standards or head office in germany would be good places to start(franchises only
) Hope this helps.
Clocking is only illegal if the vehicle is sold on with intent to deceive. A new speedo will always read zero but there are legitimate specialists who can adjust the reading. You should also have a record of the car's mileage before the work was carried out e.g service receipts, MOT certificates etc. If you do not adjust the odo, explain what has happened in writing when you sell the car on and ask the garage to provide some documented evidence to back this up.
Thanks Guys
It's funny you should say that deltaf as after the new dash had been fitted, it showed 30 miles when I picked it up... maybe the temptation of an MCoupe with no miles was too much to resist!
On a technical level, they're saying that it is impossible to adjust the mileage as it is stored on the Dashboard unit itself. I know this to be incorrect from experience, but could anyone provide any more detail?
Having the old mileage in writing is all very well, but as a buyer, I'd be v. suspicious. Are there independent companies who can restore the original mileage, and if so, why can't an official BMW dealer?
Emm
It's funny you should say that deltaf as after the new dash had been fitted, it showed 30 miles when I picked it up... maybe the temptation of an MCoupe with no miles was too much to resist!
On a technical level, they're saying that it is impossible to adjust the mileage as it is stored on the Dashboard unit itself. I know this to be incorrect from experience, but could anyone provide any more detail?
Having the old mileage in writing is all very well, but as a buyer, I'd be v. suspicious. Are there independent companies who can restore the original mileage, and if so, why can't an official BMW dealer?
Emm
I've seen companies offer this so I did a search on Google and found the following so it is possible.
www.speedofixer.co.uk/
www.chilmarkuk.freeserve.co.uk/dashinfo.htm
local papers always have adverts for this, I can't believe the dealership doesn't have the kit to do it or a contact who could come in and do it.
www.speedofixer.co.uk/
www.chilmarkuk.freeserve.co.uk/dashinfo.htm
local papers always have adverts for this, I can't believe the dealership doesn't have the kit to do it or a contact who could come in and do it.
If the dealer is really saying that they cant reset the mileage, id have to say....BOLLOX!
The motor manufacturer supplies ALL the specialist tools needed, from the smallest trim tool to the diagnostics.
On the diagnostics, i myself have had to do this same job, removal of the old instrument pod with a new replacement, and have programmed the new mileage settings in based on what the old one was reading.
Although it was on Volvo's, but i cant see a problem with it being a beemer.
So for them to say" we cant do it", especially if its a franchised dealers , is total crap.
If i were you, id get onto BMW's Head office in Germany and let them deal with this screw up.
Its not good enuff!!!
The motor manufacturer supplies ALL the specialist tools needed, from the smallest trim tool to the diagnostics.
On the diagnostics, i myself have had to do this same job, removal of the old instrument pod with a new replacement, and have programmed the new mileage settings in based on what the old one was reading.
Although it was on Volvo's, but i cant see a problem with it being a beemer.
So for them to say" we cant do it", especially if its a franchised dealers , is total crap.
If i were you, id get onto BMW's Head office in Germany and let them deal with this screw up.
Its not good enuff!!!
As long as you have the receipt for the new instruments that coresponds to the apparent change in mileage (ie between the service and/or MOT dates) then there should be no problem. However, I would expect a digital milometer to be adjustable with the correct computer. (Scrotes can certainly "clock" these cars so it must be possible).
You're not commiting an offence if there is not intent to deceive. Sounds like dealer was negligent in not taking note and doesn't want to now adjust the milometer in case he could be perceived as trying to deceive, after all he doesn't know what the mileage should be - he forgot to look.
Mileage should be adjustable by all dealers, and many others, via the OBD II socket. Same as folk use to reset service lights, etc.
Try contacting BMW customer service, see if they can persuade the dealer to reconsider.
>> Edited by bobthebench on Tuesday 13th May 21:35
Mileage should be adjustable by all dealers, and many others, via the OBD II socket. Same as folk use to reset service lights, etc.
Try contacting BMW customer service, see if they can persuade the dealer to reconsider.
>> Edited by bobthebench on Tuesday 13th May 21:35
If you can't get it done any other way, ask the garage to stamp the service book with clock changed at say X miles, new speedo fitted with zero miles!
I had that with an old 911 where the clock had seized through lack of use, so the previous owner had it changed and clearly documented in the service book for all to see!
That way no one can accuse you of covering up the mileage.
Cheers!
I had that with an old 911 where the clock had seized through lack of use, so the previous owner had it changed and clearly documented in the service book for all to see!
That way no one can accuse you of covering up the mileage.
Cheers!
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