Nagging clocking suspicion
Discussion
Recently bought a used car from main dealer but some weeks on have a nagging suspicion the mileage isn't right (28,000). Service stamps are there but MOT record ( acquired since ) does not match. Contacted previous owner who says all ok but although he's the only previous owner his address (Colchester) does not match the reg 'WR14' (West country).
I understand that true mileage is hidden in ECU or whatever and can be verified. Is this the case and who can read it apart from Main dealer who may have self interest.
Thanks for any info to help an untrusting bugger.
I understand that true mileage is hidden in ECU or whatever and can be verified. Is this the case and who can read it apart from Main dealer who may have self interest.
Thanks for any info to help an untrusting bugger.
Have you checked online MOT history - that'll give mileage at previous tests
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
es draws although the service receipts seem right.The penalties for deliberately falsifying the mileage of a car are severe, both in law and in loss of reputation.
The difference in value of a 2014 car with 28000 miles vs the same with 38000 is not significant enough to warrant the risk of deliberately falsifying.
Take off your tin foil hat and raise your concerns with the selling dealer. You suggested in your post that the local franchised dealer is somehow involved. Did they supply the car to you?
Most Franchised Dealer Approved Used Car Scheme standards incorporate a National Mileage Register check. NMR undertake to contact all previous owners to verify the mileage when the bought and sold the car, and will eventually report back any discrepancies.
What is it that is causing the concern for you? Is it the single inconsistent MOT history entry or is there anything else?
The difference in value of a 2014 car with 28000 miles vs the same with 38000 is not significant enough to warrant the risk of deliberately falsifying.
Take off your tin foil hat and raise your concerns with the selling dealer. You suggested in your post that the local franchised dealer is somehow involved. Did they supply the car to you?
Most Franchised Dealer Approved Used Car Scheme standards incorporate a National Mileage Register check. NMR undertake to contact all previous owners to verify the mileage when the bought and sold the car, and will eventually report back any discrepancies.
What is it that is causing the concern for you? Is it the single inconsistent MOT history entry or is there anything else?
A lot of these mileage correction outfits will claim to be able to hide evidence of clocking from any module in which it's stored. The less well informed might miss one, but the main dealer won't be looking for it nor necessarily know how to.
Ex-lease are worst offenders as it's simple enough to get done before a service and keeps costs to the leaser down on a pence per mile basis.
I wouldn't worry too much so long as the wear on the car looks appropriate - might just've been a change in commute etc resulting in a spike in mileage?
Ex-lease are worst offenders as it's simple enough to get done before a service and keeps costs to the leaser down on a pence per mile basis.
I wouldn't worry too much so long as the wear on the car looks appropriate - might just've been a change in commute etc resulting in a spike in mileage?
So the car's displaying 28,000 miles.
All of the service receipts tally up to 28,000 miles.
The previous owner confirms that the mileage should be 28,000 mile.
But.....
The MOT site says it was MOT'd at 38,000 mile.
So....
Rather than it being highly likely that the person who entered the MOT information hit the "3" button, located right next to the "2" button on the keypad, and hadn't noticed their error, the dealership and the previous owner must be in cahoots to lower the mileage by 10,000 miles, going to to the effort of fiddling all of the service records so they match up to read 28,000 miles!
The difference 10,000 miles would make to the value of a car at a main dealers is trivial, especially when you take into account the possible penalties of being caught falsifying mileages on cars - A possible criminal prosecution and conviction, and the possible loss of their very lucrative franchise. All for the sake of a couple grand? - Can't see it!
Well there's iron clad evidence that MOT garages never make errors - EVER!
All of the service receipts tally up to 28,000 miles.
The previous owner confirms that the mileage should be 28,000 mile.
But.....
The MOT site says it was MOT'd at 38,000 mile.
So....
Rather than it being highly likely that the person who entered the MOT information hit the "3" button, located right next to the "2" button on the keypad, and hadn't noticed their error, the dealership and the previous owner must be in cahoots to lower the mileage by 10,000 miles, going to to the effort of fiddling all of the service records so they match up to read 28,000 miles!
The difference 10,000 miles would make to the value of a car at a main dealers is trivial, especially when you take into account the possible penalties of being caught falsifying mileages on cars - A possible criminal prosecution and conviction, and the possible loss of their very lucrative franchise. All for the sake of a couple grand? - Can't see it!
Bigends said:
Nickyboy said:
MOT mileage means sod all, it's often inputted wrong. Mine went up 40k one year but back to normal the following.
Mine and the Mrs's cars are bang on each year for the last 8 yrs so itll still be worth a checkEdited by Bigends on Saturday 7th July 21:03
Clocking to avoid excess mileage is fair comment, but still liable for the same penalties.
Since you know who the previous owner / user was then you know where the blame lies if it does turn out to be clocked, even though of course it's your retailer who is liable to you.
It's still an unlikely scenario I believe. Do you have the service records? Do these corroborate the claimed mileage or not?
Since you know who the previous owner / user was then you know where the blame lies if it does turn out to be clocked, even though of course it's your retailer who is liable to you.
It's still an unlikely scenario I believe. Do you have the service records? Do these corroborate the claimed mileage or not?
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