Mileage fraud remains widespread, putting 160,000 drivers at risk

New research by car history-checking service CarVertical reveals that nearly 160,000 UK drivers could fall victim to mileage fraud this year.

With an estimated 1.9 million used cars changing hands every quarter, CarVertical's data shows that 2.1% of these vehicles have clocked mileage.

Lowering a vehicle's mileage falsely can increase its sale price by up to 25%, potentially costing buyers thousands of pounds.

Surprisingly, nearly-new cars - those less than five years old - are not immune.

CarVertical's findings indicate that 1.89% of these newer vehicles had mileage discrepancies, with KIAs leading the pack, as nearly 9% of nearly-new models show odometer rollbacks. Other brands like Nissan (6.84%) and Dacia (6.16%) also rank high on the list.

Mileage fraud, or "clocking," can lead to significant maintenance issues, as vehicles may have sustained more wear and tear than indicated. For example, Ford Transits and Skoda Octavias are among the highest-clocked models, with odometer rollbacks averaging 76,000 miles.

Vehicles with over 155,000 miles are particularly at risk, as CarVertical found that 4.7% of vehicles with mileages between 155,000 and 186,000 had been clocked, compared to only 1.6% for those under 31,000 miles.

Matas Buzelis, a car expert at carVertical, stressed the importance of mileage checks when purchasing a used car, saying, “Mileage is a key indicator of vehicle wear, but even newer cars with low mileage may have been tampered with.”

He advised buyers to consider a professional inspection and a comprehensive vehicle history check to avoid overpaying for a potentially clocked vehicle.

Car dealers who manipulate a vehicle’s mileage can be prosecuted under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.