Claimed Mileage Lower thans shown, Clock Replaced

harringtonp

I have been looking seriously at a car and the seller is telling that the mileage is lower than what is shown. Its shows 155k, I'm been told it is 93k. The reason given is that the clock broke and couldn't be repaired so a used one was fitted instead. This was backed up with detailed service history where they could show the low mileage up to 2017.

Does this type of thing happen on occasion ?

The feeling one gets from the car and garage, even though it is 04, is that the mileage probably is low. The NCT is out but they are putting it through a new NCT this week before selling.

endacl

If it's an '04 155k would be low anyway, and I'd imagine you don't need a mortgage to pay for the car? If it passes the NCT and you're otherwise happy with the car, I'd be inclined to go for it.

Out of interest, what make/model?

harringtonp

Ford Focus

kirving

To be honest, I'd believe the seller since the clocks on that model Focus are known to be troublesome.

dar83

As said above, the clocks on those Focus' are known to fail. If everything else checks out on the paperwork and the car itself then i'd be inclined to overlook it as a reason not to buy.

harringtonp

Thanks guys, do believe seller, he was at pains to show me the service mileage history.

Just thought I'd double check and its reasuring to hear that it is a known problem

newmember2

NCT cert will show the last 4 years recorded mileage - see if it tallies with the seller's records.

Cee-Jay-Cee

harringtonp wrote: »

Ford Focus

An 04 Focus is going to be small money, if the car passes the NCT then wouldn't worry about whats on the clocks or service records.

harringtonp

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

An 04 Focus is going to be small money, if the car passes the NCT then wouldn't worry about whats on the clocks or service records.

Yes, quite a bit less than the bikes Cee-Jay

Gregor Samsa

The clocks on the Focus of that era are prone to water ingress that shorts them out, giving you a fine light show with dancing needles. I had an 04 previously where I had to remove the cluster to dry it out a couple of times, and I got lucky that it worked after, but if the water damage was worse, you'd easily end up needing new clocks.

wingnut

harringtonp wrote: »

Ford Focus

Yep i had one and changed the clock myself (€20 from scrapyard). When it came time to sell I had the old clock also and the NCT showed a huge jump in mileage, like 70k.

harringtonp

Bought the car, you can see the big jump in mileage from 2016 to 2017 in the NCT alright. Low mileage, good condition and full service history with it so hoping its as good over the next year as the signs indicate. Thanks for feedback guys

Leonard Hofstadter

Wouldn't concern me in a Mk1 Focus, happened a friend of mine and he just put clocks from a scrapyard into it (with much higher mileage than what he had originally).

Cee-Jay-Cee

harringtonp wrote: »

Yes, quite a bit less than the bikes Cee-Jay

Considerably less!!!