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The number of cars on UK roads with mileage discrepancies has risen to one in 14, claims new research.
Automotive data experts HPI say the number of ‘clocked’ cars has risen from one in 20 cars in 2014 – an increase of nearly a third (30%) in just five years.
HPI, which is one of the UK’s leading authorities on vehicle checking services, estimates the practice is costing motorists more than £800 million every year.
It is illegal to sell a clocked car without declaring its genuine mileage, but the act of altering the car’s odometer is not an offence.
The illegal practice of clocking takes place when drivers look to deliberately defraud second-hand car buyers when the vehicle is sold on.
“Clocking and mileage fraud is a problem that refuses to go away and continues to get worse,” said Barry Shorto of HPI.
“Used car buyers now have a one in 14 chance of purchasing a vehicle with a mileage discrepancy which is extremely concerning.
“Criminals are increasingly using more advanced technology to make it easier for them to clock vehicles and cover their tracks.
“The continued development of technologies to alter digital odometers, easy access to this technology via the internet and similarly, the ease of access to mileage adjustment services online, some of whom will behave legitimately, others less so, are all exacerbating the trend.
“The increase in mileage-related finance arrangements such as PCP and PCH may also be a contributing factor as motorists look to avoid costly penalties for exceeding mileage allowances.”
Conducting a HPI Check is the ideal way to unearth any anomalies with a used car, checking more than 80 valuable data points about its history, identifying issues such as any outstanding finance, safety recalls and checks to see if it’s ever been stolen or a classified as an insurance write-off.
In 2018, more than 28 million HPI Checks were carried out on UK vehicles, identifying issues such as any outstanding finance, safety recalls and checks to see if it’s ever been stolen or a classified as an insurance write-off. It’s estimated that one in three cars has a hidden history.
