1k miles in 12 months (should I be concerned)

smac6 · 05-12-2017 8:28am #1

Hi All, hoping for a bit of a steer, I’am currently in the process of purchasing an A4 75k miles, from a reputable garage. The car is an import, however it does seem to be in very good condition. The one issue with it is that in the last 12 months it has only down 1k miles, and before that 5k, vs on average 12 to 15 in previous 3 years.. Is this a case of a car being clocked?? The garage is adiment that the car is genuine, and will stand over it.. Should I avoid or are there any tell tale signs of clocking?? Am I being too paranoid!!! Thanks for any response

bazz26 · 05-12-2017 10:11am

Have you run a car history report? What does the service history say? Have you rang the garages that serviced it to verify that service history?

smac6 · 05-12-2017 10:50am

bazz26 wrote: »

Have you run a car history report? What does the service history say? Have you rang the garages that serviced it to verify that service history?

Ya I have carried out both a hpi check and a rac check on the car both are coming back with no issues. To be honest I must check the service history with the dealer.

JoeA3 · 05-12-2017 11:31am

Sure it could have been sitting on dealer forecourt(s) for most of the last 12 months - and not necessarily the dealer's that you're buying it from.

I'd be insisting it's fully comprehensively serviced... sitting around like that idle for months.

Sleeper12 · 05-12-2017 11:43am

I'd rather have a motor that has been driven than one that has been sitting up. It's like reading one lady owner, you know I it will need a clutch

Cee-Jay-Cee · 05-12-2017 12:09pm

Did you get the UK number and check the MOT record for it. If it shows the same mileage as the records then I'd be happy enough that everything is in order.

I bought a UK car last January and it had only done 2k miles in the previous 18 months but the MOT records backed the mileage as did the service history so I was happy to buy it.

smac6 · 05-12-2017 12:20pm

Hi lads thanks for the reply’s so far. Ya the MOT check and the HPI check match up. Can the MOT check be fooled?

Cee-Jay-Cee · 05-12-2017 12:25pm

I don't think so unless someone clocked the car before each MOT to remove mileage.

smac6 · 05-12-2017 1:15pm

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I don't think so unless someone clocked the car before each MOT to remove mileage.

Ya that’s what I thought but seems like an awful lot of trouble to go to!!

Is there any check that can be done on the electrics to tell if the mileage had been moved back?? (I know I am being over cautious!!)

PhoenixParker · 05-12-2017 1:21pm

I think you're over thinking this.
That type of change in mileage is plausibly explained with a change in job.
Last year I worked in Sandyford, this year I work in the city centre.
Last year it was 20miles each way most days, this year I take the train and car is pretty much for weekend errands and visiting family.
In fact the car in question will shortly be sold because it's never being driven and my husband's car will do just fine 99% of the time.

1k miles in 12 months (should I be concerned)

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