“Turning back the clocks”- How to spot a clocked car

Clocking is one of the most important things to look out for when purchasing a used car.  Clocking is the term used to describe when a car’s odometer has been put back or reduced to make the car appear to have less mileage. This is sometimes done if the mileage of the vehicle in question is higher than average. This can affect the resale value of the vehicle. It is an offence under consumer law  for a dealer to give false or deceptive information about the history of a car.

A clocked car can work out as both expensive and dangerous for a buyer. The danger with a clocked car is that the real mileage isn’t known and the true condition of the vehicle isn’t either. It can give the buyer a false impression that certain parts of the car do not need to be changed or replaced, such as the timing belt. According to cartell.ie, in co-operation with AA Ireland, one in ten used cars for sale in Ireland have been clocked and one in five cars imported from the U.K have a mileage discrepancy.

Before buying any used car, it is important to carry out a few checks to ensure your car mileage is accurate

1. Carry out a full car history check on websites such as cartell.ie. Newer vehicles will not show any signs of being tampered. So, getting a full picture of it’s service history can give clues to whether a car is clocked.
2. Inspect the condition of the car. A worn driver’s seat and scuffed pedals can be a giveaway of high mileage.
3. Get a mechanic to look over it and take it for a test drive
4. And finally, buy from a reputable car dealer. Any good car dealer will be happy to have a car independently checked and inspected. The dealer is an expert and will have their own homework done on the cars they stock.

If you think your car has been clocked and have evidence, you should report it to the www.ccpc.ie and the Gardai immediately.