Car clocking

20goto10

Is there any definitive way to tell if a car has been clocked? I'm looking at buying a 4.5 year old car which has only done 25,000K. I know to check the interior, a low mileage car should be in good nick, which this is. But I still have my doubts. Is there any test a garage can do that will show if a car has been clocked or any other definitive proof?

EPM

If you can get it checked over a mechanic might give you some idea. Alternatively try and trace a service history (maybe by ringing original supplying garage) or check the mileage on the NCT cert. It's not that uncommon for cars to cover so little mileage though. Any link to the ad?

Moanin

It depends on the brand but if you bring the key to a main dealer they can check it via computer (For BMW anyway).

Tipsy Mac

Id say theres no 100% sure way to tell, a car can always be clocked between services unknown to the garage providing the service history. Id check that it has a service history and verify with the garage that they have a record of it being done, id also look at the mileage recorded on previous NCT certs and if possible contact any previous owners to see what was the mileage when sold. Depending on the car running a Cartell check to see if it was ever a taxi or hackney will help too.

20goto10

EPM wrote: »

If you can get it checked over a mechanic might give you some idea. Alternatively try and trace a service history (maybe by ringing original supplying garage) or check the mileage on the NCT cert. It's not that uncommon for cars to cover so little mileage though. Any link to the ad?

The service history checks out and its been serviced throughout its history by the garage selling it. He's hardly going to clock it with the service history showing but he could clock it everytime he left it in for a service. Man I'm paranoid

Just thought maybe its possible to hook it up to a computer or something that can tell if its been clocked.

No link I'm afraid, I don't want someone slipping in before me, tis a very nice car...

20goto10

Another niggle I have is it could be possible that the car was given to the garage with no service history and they just stamped the book to make it look like it has a full service history.

I'll check the NCT cert, thats a start I suppose. Will also see if they have the service history in their computer.

Henry Ford III

Imported or Irish car? HPI or www.mywheels.ie. Run a check.

Speak to the previous owners also. Have a look at the vehicle reg. cert.

c4cat

20goto10 wrote: »

Is there any definitive way to tell if a car has been clocked? I'm looking at buying a 4.5 year old car which has only done 25,000K. I know to check the interior, a low mileage car should be in good nick, which this is. But I still have my doubts. Is there any test a garage can do that will show if a car has been clocked or any other definitive proof?

If there is no checkable service history beware!, check foot peddles for signs of too much wear, as well wear on the steering wheel, gear stick (very shiny on high milage) and the drivers seat. back seats would be hardly used so should be like new. If you can Measure the amount of wear on break disks too, thats is a very reliable indicator. Any doubt what so ever, best walk away and find something with warranted milage. Also check all the screws that hold the dassboard in place any scratches on the screwheads indicate removal, if the speedo is electronic then that would not apply as electronic speedos are easily reset to what-ever milage

c4cat

20goto10 wrote: »

Another niggle I have is it could be possible that the car was given to the garage with no service history and they just stamped the book to make it look like it has a full service history.

I'll check the NCT cert, thats a start I suppose. Will also see if they have the service history in their computer.

Call the garages and ask them what the milage was when they serviced the vehicle, and compare to what is written

brayblue24

OP-sounds to me like you are not at all happy with this car. It's a buyers market nowadays/walk away if you're not 100% happy.

helimachoptor

OP its common enough, my uncle has a 94 micra and he's only done about 40k miles. He drives to work and back for lunch and then back to work and home. Then drives to the church a couple of times a week. Walks pretty much everywhere else.

My mam has done about 5k since she got her car 3 years ago.

20goto10

brayblue24 wrote: »

OP-sounds to me like you are not at all happy with this car. It's a buyers market nowadays/walk away if you're not 100% happy.

No not at all I'm very happy with the condition of the car and the condition suggests its hardly been driven. I was just wondering is there any way of getting absolute proof. I would have thought in this day and age altering the mileage would leave some sort of flag that could be checked by hooking it up to a computer.

It comes with a 12 month warranty and garage tells me they have serviced it throughout its history. But they'll tell you anything to sell a car...

I suppose it is possible to do that low mileage. Maybe the owner got the bus to work. Would just be nice if there was a way to tell for sure.

Thanks for the advice. I'll check as much as I can.

EPM

I'd say it might just be a good find based on what you've said. If the garage have looked after it since new I'd assume they are a main dealer and they are hardly going to jeperdise their franchise for a few quid on a 4 year old car. They are also giving a decent warranty so the clocking bit doesn't really add up. If it was a pup they would not clock it and warranty it I'd imagine.

My sisters car is an 06 with 24k km. She has changed jobs recently and no longer uses it apart from weekends so now I would be very suprised if the car even reaches 25k km by it's 4th birthday on 1st Jan.

JHMEG

I just sold a 4.5 yo car with 25k miles on the clock and believe me it was all genuine! Some people just live close to work, family, friends, relations, shops etc.

R.O.R

We've just sold a 4.5 year old Audi A6 2.0Tdi with less than 20,000km on the clock.

It actually came back from the driver after 4year with under 15,000km on, and we've been using it as a runner car since then. This car had 1 service and was still on the 4 factory tyres.

It's rare - but it does happen.

brightkane

there can be alot of garage loyalty out there. buy from a garage, always get it serviced there and then trade it back to the same garage for an upgrade.

If you can get previous owners details ask them about service history and mileage. I doubt if its been clocked they will tell the previous owner.

20goto10

Thanks guys you've put my mind at ease. There really is nothing to suggest its been clocked, I think I'm just being paranoid. But I am surprised that you can clock a car without any kind of flag being set in the on board computer. But then I suppose all they've to do is reset the flag as well so whats the point

Max Headroom

Just sold a 97 micra with 34k on it...family owned from new...One guy came to look and said that the car was too clean and the milage couldnt be genuine..:mad:.....There are little gems out there..thats the only drawback with a dealer, can you trust him.? If it was private you might get a better idea of the person's honesty...

Run_to_da_hills

Dust and thumb marks inside the clock screen is a good tell tail. I noticed it in a Transit and ran a mile from it.

waraf

R.O.R wrote: »

We've just sold a 4.5 year old Audi A6 2.0Tdi with less than 20,000km on the clock.

It actually came back from the driver after 4year with under 15,000km on, and we've been using it as a runner car since then. This car had 1 service and was still on the 4 factory tyres.

It's rare - but it does happen.

One service in four and a half years :eek:

R.O.R

waraf wrote: »

One service in four and a half years :eek:

Audi Long life servicing. Every 30,000km or 2 years so 1 service is what it should have had while on lease.

As it was only being used as a runner after that, we weren't paying to have it serviced as it would be sold soon.

cruizer101

Just one thing to note, generaly if a car has lower mileage the mileage it has done hasnt been nice motorway miles it has been short down the town runs which aren't as good for the engine. Make sure the oil chages have been regularlly and on time as it is generally advised to do them even more often than manufacturers recomendation for miles of this type.

20goto10

cruizer101 wrote: »

Just one thing to note, generaly if a car has lower mileage the mileage it has done hasnt been nice motorway miles it has been short down the town runs which aren't as good for the engine. Make sure the oil chages have been regularlly and on time as it is generally advised to do them even more often than manufacturers recomendation for miles of this type.

Thats something I was aware of and it does feel a bit sluggish compared to other cars I've test driven. I'll be driving it on the M50 every day so my thinking is it will loosen up a bit. Does that make sense or is it likely a slightly sluggish feel could mean trouble? Now I did test drive it on a cold engine and in traffic so it could just be that.

EPM

What type of car/engine is it?

cadaliac

20goto10 wrote: »

Thats something I was aware of and it does feel a bit sluggish compared to other cars I've test driven. I'll be driving it on the M50 every day so my thinking is it will loosen up a bit. Does that make sense or is it likely a slightly sluggish feel could mean trouble? Now I did test drive it on a cold engine and in traffic so it could just be that.

No harm in test driving the car when cold, but you should also take it for a decent run. i.e. 20 to 30 min at least, especially if you are serious about a purchase.
The car should not be noticeably sluggish either. Compared to what anyway?
BTW, the ECU can be sent to the manufacturer to see if it has been tampered with - but they will not be able to tell if the mileage was altered or by how much. Too much trouble for most people to go to such lengths.

20goto10

EPM wrote: »

What type of car/engine is it?

honda Civic 1.4. I know the 1.4 engine is going to be sluggish at the best of times, but it felt sluggish compared to other 1.4 civics.

Gumbo

R.O.R wrote: »

We've just sold a 4.5 year old Audi A6 2.0Tdi with less than 20,000km on the clock.

It actually came back from the driver after 4year with under 15,000km on, and we've been using it as a runner car since then. This car had 1 service and was still on the 4 factory tyres.

It's rare - but it does happen.

+1
my mams 2004 318Ci has only 11,200 mils, still on factory fitted tryes, wipers etc etc. only cost the car has cost her is 2 services and petrol.

its in my sog for anybody interested.

cheeky for sale post, i know

My folks bought a car back in 1999 new, Dad still has it, 32K miles I think on it. Original everything except, oil and filters, plugs, timing belt, battery and thermostat. My sister has a 01 Ka with lowish miles on it too.

My 1992 Merc has 228K miles on her, to drive her if it clock said 130K you wouldn't be suspicious.