Used car buyers warned over 'old-school' scam costing over £4,700

A leading car expert has issued a warning about a resurgence of a classic scam in the used car market, with one in 50 motorists potentially falling victim annually. The vehicle history checking service carVertical has highlighted concerns about 'clocking' — a deceitful act where unscrupulous dealers manipulate a car's odometer to display a lower mileage.

According to Matas Buzelis from carVertical: "Drivers in the UK are overpaying for clocked cars to the tune of more than three-quarters of billion pounds a year." He continued to highlight the severity of the scam by saying, "This fraudulent practice is not only cheating them out of their hard-earned money, it's tricking them into buying a car that has travelled many more miles than they're aware."

This tactic, known as clocking, is typically used by rogue traders to make vehicles appear more appealing and boost their value, costing unwary buyers on average an additional £4,758. carVertical's research suggests that approximately 2.1% of cars sold annually have tampered mileages, a figure that increases with the age of the vehicle.

Matas has urged those in the market for a used car to utilise a history checking service to avoid falling prey to odometer fraud. He highlighted the importance of such services, stating: "Vehicle history checks provide valuable insight into whether a car's mileage has been tampered with, as well highlighting other potential problems such as damage and any outstanding finance," reports the Express.

"Data is helping buyers to assess the condition of a car and making the buying decision easier than ever before."

Matas also recommended a thorough inspection of the car's condition to ensure it aligns with its mileage, advising buyers to look for signs of wear on both the exterior and interior.