Has this car been clocked?

[AlexNJ89]

I was looking at a car on Autotrader which was nice, and before arranging a view I checked the MOT online.

The reg plate is LT54NWH

Link to see for yourself here:
https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

The mileage on the MOT on 16th November 2016 is 116,000 miles

On November 2017 the mileage drops back down to 77,000 miles. The 2018 MOT has 80k miles and the car is now advertised at 82k miles.

Is there a logical explanation for this?

Thanks

[Scottchester]

Only time I've ever seen something similar was a japanese import being swapped from km to miles after not being changed on initial import. Would be easy to calculate the difference and see if it's that.

Not necessarily clocked though, could be failed instruments or adjusted for new engine but I would expect paperwork for this.

Edited by Scottchester on Monday 29th April 19:23

[Nickp82]

If you look at the test in 2013 it says 78,896 KM, I think there is a fair chance the display has been in KM between 2013 and 2016 and changed back for the last two tests. Especially as there is a jump up in reading of circa 41k between 2012 and 2013

[Brads67]

Yes

It's been clocked. Although no idiot clocks cars now as checking is too easy. Maybe a dash replacement ,but at the end of the day you now know the milage.

[Stuart M 1976]

I wonder if there is any service history / old bills which confirm the lower mileage? It could be an error in the Mot site but it would raise my suspicions too

[Pica-Pica]

Scottchester said:

Only time I've ever seen something similar was a jap import being swapped from km to miles after not being changed on initial import. Would be easy to calculate the difference and see if it's that.

Not necessarily clocked though, could be failed instruments or adjusted for new engine but I would expect paperwork for this.

‘Japanese’ please!

[Roo]

Nickp82 said:

If you look at the test in 2013 it says 78,896 KM, I think there is a fair chance the display has been in KM between 2013 and 2016 and changed back for the last two tests.

Was just about to say exactly that.

[silentbrown]

Nickp82 said:

If you look at the test in 2013 it says 78,896 KM, I think there is a fair chance the display has been in KM between 2013 and 2016 and changed back for the last two tests. Especially as there is a jump up in reading of circa 41k between 2012 and 2013

But why? It's been UK registered all that time.

Equally odd is that is only managed 10,000 miles in the first three years of life.

[mintybiscuit]

[AlexNJ89]

Thanks for the replies guys!

I agree the km to miles is probably the most likely explanation.

It's a 1 owner from new car and the ad claims to have all of the service history from only Mercedes Benz main dealers.

Also, anyone think I should be put off by this?:
"Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a track control arm inner bush"
Same on the other side

Edited by AlexNJ89 on Sunday 28th April 17:53

[Cold]

Pica-Pica said:

‘Japanese’ please!

I can't stand it when Brits shorten the name of other nationalities.

[Brads67]

Yup, doesn't look like a jap import to me .

[steveball]

Happened to my old car - Black Golf Match 2.0 tdi

Reg is DV61OFT, and I know for a fact I sold the car on over 180k, yet between me getting rid and it coming up for sale, it got MOT'd at 168,234 and was on ebay with a lower mileage than the miles I sold it on.

Car was traded in so I possibly have proof of mileage, but it went to auction, then ended up in Leicester, before the poor sole who bought it was ripped off.

[cayman-black]

Fully agree minty.

[Cambs_Stuart]

AlexNJ89 said:

Thanks for the replies guys!

I agree the km to miles is probably the most likely explanation.

It's a 1 owner from new car and the ad claims to have all of the service history from only Mercedes Benz main dealers.

Also, anyone think I should be put off by this?:
"Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a track control arm inner bush"
Same on the other side

Edited by AlexNJ89 on Sunday 28th April 17:53

Depends on how hard it is to replace the bushes. Best bet would be to call a garage and get a quote before you view it. It won't get better by ignoring it and will just deteriorate over time.

[mbwoy84]

Not a difficult or expensive job and is regular MOT fayre on most cars.

I do know where there is a top, top example of a CL500 going with no such issues though if that's what you're after.....

[Olivergt]

AlexNJ89 said:

Thanks for the replies guys!

I agree the km to miles is probably the most likely explanation.

It's a 1 owner from new car and the ad claims to have all of the service history from only Mercedes Benz main dealers.

Also, anyone think I should be put off by this?:
"Nearside Front Suspension arm has slight play in a track control arm inner bush"
Same on the other side

Edited by AlexNJ89 on Sunday 28th April 17:53

That MOT history would put me off, 10k in first 3 years, then 10k in 1 year, then just over 1k the next, then the jump to KM and then a huge jump and back to miles? And finally the drop in miles back from 116k to 77k.

I would want to see all the receipts for the Service History and hear a valid story for that MOT history.

The track control arm bush would not put me off.

Do you have a link to the advert?

[cbmotorsport]

Brads67 said:

Yes

It's been clocked. Although no idiot clocks cars now as checking is too easy. Maybe a dash replacement ,but at the end of the day you now know the milage.

Car clocking is still rife, especially in prestige models that wear well, and don't show obvious signs of high mileage.

All that happens is the car is given a haircut before each MOT and service, so it shows average mileage and all history checks out.

[AlexNJ89]

Olivergt said:

That MOT history would put me off, 10k in first 3 years, then 10k in 1 year, then just over 1k the next, then the jump to KM and then a huge jump and back to miles? And finally the drop in miles back from 116k to 77k.

I would want to see all the receipts for the Service History and hear a valid story for that MOT history.

The track control arm bush would not put me off.

Do you have a link to the advert?

Thanks for your advice!

Sure, here's the link:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Btw, I am completely aware this is a grossly overpriced car, it should be worth about £4k - £5k. But I was just surfing CL's on autotrader.

[Pericoloso]

Pica-Pica said:

‘Japanese’ please!

Best you go and get outraged by this long established show.

https://www.silverstone.co.uk/events/japfest/