How do I know if its been clocked?
Discussion
I am thinking about buying a used 2002 BMW 3-Series.
The guys advert says 17k miles but when I did a HPI it says the last known mileage was 18k miles back in March this year (2010).
I won't get a chance to look at the documentation before I buy it because he is quite far from me. Do you think this is a clocked car or does it sound normal?
The guys advert says 17k miles but when I did a HPI it says the last known mileage was 18k miles back in March this year (2010).
I won't get a chance to look at the documentation before I buy it because he is quite far from me. Do you think this is a clocked car or does it sound normal?
So in March, it had done 1k more than it has now.
What you have to think about is how much the car is costing you against how much someone might have shaved off the top.
Unless the owner has been doing silly miles per month since March, he will probably have taken 10k off at a maximum.
Does the price reflect a 28k car?
If so, it might still be worth a punt.
What you have to think about is how much the car is costing you against how much someone might have shaved off the top.
Unless the owner has been doing silly miles per month since March, he will probably have taken 10k off at a maximum.
Does the price reflect a 28k car?
If so, it might still be worth a punt.
A 2002 3-series with just 18k miles? No chance
Get the service history from BMW - everything 2002-2005 should be on there (warranty period, it would have certainly been serviced at a main dealer) including the corresponding mileage. You have the VIN I assume, I think that's all you need, there is a premium rate number you can call
Look at past MOTs
Check there is no dot on the odometer next to the trip counter
It should be obvious from a cursory inspection whether the car has done 18k or a "true" mileage for that year (80k+) all the usual stuff, pedal rubbers, seat condition, look underneath etc
Get the service history from BMW - everything 2002-2005 should be on there (warranty period, it would have certainly been serviced at a main dealer) including the corresponding mileage. You have the VIN I assume, I think that's all you need, there is a premium rate number you can call
Look at past MOTs
Check there is no dot on the odometer next to the trip counter
It should be obvious from a cursory inspection whether the car has done 18k or a "true" mileage for that year (80k+) all the usual stuff, pedal rubbers, seat condition, look underneath etc
Edited by john_p on Tuesday 21st September 23:07
The 18k *could* be a typo, e.g. mileage was 17,800 so data entry person just put 18k, later in year the car has MOT 190 miles later and data entry just puts in 17k as the number starts with 17,xxx etc. Yeah, unlikely maybe but possible, however enough to get alarm bells ringing.
However, just over 2000 miles p/a in a 3 SERIES? errr, right. At least it must be a concours M3? How many owners? All of them doing tiny mileage, yeah right.
It would need a very good story, supported by good evidence to the low mileage.
Me? I stay well clear, especially if the owner has been anything but completely open as to why the mileage is so low.
I will laugh if it's a diesel or a low/mid range model
However, just over 2000 miles p/a in a 3 SERIES? errr, right. At least it must be a concours M3? How many owners? All of them doing tiny mileage, yeah right.
It would need a very good story, supported by good evidence to the low mileage.
Me? I stay well clear, especially if the owner has been anything but completely open as to why the mileage is so low.
I will laugh if it's a diesel or a low/mid range model
ask him for the number off the front of the log book (document reference number) and enter the registration number and the reference number to the following website and it'll give the mileages on all the computerised mot's.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
nice1two said:
ask him for the number off the front of the log book (document reference number) and enter the registration number and the reference number to the following website and it'll give the mileages on all the computerised mot's.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
Fantastic, really helpful tool. Thanks for that!http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...
OK, so....
So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up s
te to post on PH?
So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up s
te to post on PH?CinqAbarth said:
OK, so....
So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up ste to post on PH?
Did you look at edo's link?So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up s
te to post on PH?eldar said:
CinqAbarth said:
OK, so....
So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up ste to post on PH?
Did you look at edo's link?So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up s
te to post on PH?Volumeone is some strange fantasist / troll.
CinqAbarth said:
OK, so....
So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up ste to post on PH?
Some people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Especially those named after the crappest car Fiat could make and who ownes a Toyota Prius!So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up s
te to post on PH?Either you were born retarded or take after your parents, I just can't work it out.
Edited by volumeone on Saturday 25th September 12:35
CinqAbarth said:
OK, so....
So far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up ste to post on PH?
So a guy posts about how to find out if a particularly low mileage car is clocked and you claim he is full of bull sSo far, you've had a Cockster, a Volvo C70 and are picking up a 3-series this weekend.
You've also paid a private clamping firm to 'go away'.
And you claim people believe you have some kind of high powered job, because you drive a cheap old Volvo....
Don't you have homework to do, rather than making up s
te to post on PH?t?Then you slate his car choices when you drive one of the most horrific cars I have ever had the misfortune driving?
By the sound of things it is you who should have homework to do. Get a life.
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