Local government association calls for ban on mileage correction services and devices

Rise in clocking is putting motorists at greater risk of buying dangerous used cars with false mileage, researchers say

Local government association calls for ban on mileage correction services and devices
Dodgy dealers caught committing the fraud can face hefty punishments.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is calling for a ban on mileage correction services and devices.

The LGA, which represents 370 councils in England and Wales, is urging people to check a vehicle’s history thoroughly before buying it to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

A proposed EU ban on companies providing mileage correction services was supposed to be in place by May 2018. and the LGA is now calling for this legislation to be implemented as soon as possible and retained under UK laws after Brexit.

An existing legal loophole means that while knowingly selling a clocked car without disclosing it is fraud, it is not illegal to alter the odometer’s mileage.

The LGA is calling for DIY mileage correction tools to be banned to help reduce clocking.

“Dangerous implications”

Cllr Simon Blackburn, chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Car clocking is a rising major fraud which not only rips off motorists but can have dangerous implications.

“Unscrupulous dealers are tricking unsuspecting buyers into paying thousands of pounds more for a vehicle with false mileage, which could put their safety at risk and lead to expensive repair bills if it is in a poorer condition than has been suggested.

“Anyone buying a second-hand car should make thorough checks to ensure that the vehicle is showing its true mileage and that its service history and MOT certificate are accurate.

“Clocking is tarnishing the reputation of honest used car dealers and sellers, and councils won’t hesitate to bring any car dealer or private seller to justice who shows a blatant disregard for safety and consumer rights.

“Trading Standards teams across the country often receive more complaints about used cars than anything else.

Growing problem

Latest figures show that clocking increased by 25 per cent between 2014 and 2016 and costs UK motorists £800 million annually.

One recent council prosecution saw a van sold with 89,000 miles on the clock was actually found to have travelled more than 243,000 miles.

According to the research, one in 16 vehicles checked now have a mileage discrepancy.

It’s a crime that’s not only fleecing drivers out of cash but it could also hide serious mechanical problems on cars which could make them more at risk of an accident.

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