The Growing Threat of Odometer Fraud in the UK
Used car buyers are being urged to take extra precautions when purchasing second-hand vehicles, as a significant number of cars have been tampered with. One in seven vehicles on British roads today has had its mileage reduced or its true identity hidden, which can lead to overpayment for a car that may have hidden mechanical issues.
According to recent data, Britons are losing an estimated £750 million annually due to odometer fraud, with the average buyer paying £4,750 more than the actual value of the vehicle. A study analyzing over 550,000 UK cars between January and September found that 16.3% showed signs of tampering or inconsistencies in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Diagnostics platform Carly, which conducted 2.5 million vehicle checks during this period, warns that these practices put drivers at risk of buying a car with concealed serious issues. This not only leads to overpayment but also potential repair costs due to wear and tear that the false mileage suggests.
The issue of odometer tampering is widespread across the UK. While major cities and ports tend to see more activity due to higher transaction volumes, there is no significant regional difference in the prevalence of such fraud. Buyers in the North of England are just as likely to encounter clocked vehicles as those in the South.
Dali Ati, head of internationalisation at Carly, emphasizes that mileage tampering can make a car appear newer and more valuable than it truly is. However, this can mask underlying mechanical problems that could result in unexpected repair bills.
The Dangers of Tampered VIN Numbers
Tampering with VIN numbers poses an even greater risk. It can hide the fact that a car has been stolen or previously written off, putting buyers at risk of having their vehicle seized by police or driving an unsafe car. To mitigate this, Ati recommends using Carly’s Used Car Check, which costs £41 and connects directly to a vehicle’s internal systems via the OBD port. This helps detect resets, inconsistencies, or VIN mismatches that might be missed during a visual inspection.
As economic uncertainty and high new car prices continue to drive demand for used vehicles, it is crucial for buyers to conduct digital checks before making a purchase, especially when dealing with private sellers or smaller dealerships where consumer protection is limited.
The Rise of High-Tech Mileage Blockers
While odometer tampering was once considered a relic of the 1980s and 1990s, a new wave of providers now offers advanced mileage-blocking services that claim to be undetectable. These devices, often called ‘mileage blockers’ or ‘mileage freezers,’ prevent the identification of tampered mileage by pausing the odometer when the car is in use. This makes it seem like the car has been driven far less than it actually has.
These devices don’t just affect the dashboard; they also block peripheral modules in modern cars, making it difficult for dealers to detect any tampering. This results in vehicles that appear to be in excellent condition but may have significantly worn parts.
Legal Loopholes and Consumer Concerns
Under UK law, altering a car’s mileage is not illegal. However, it is illegal to sell a vehicle without disclosing any known discrepancies. The Consumer Regulation Act allows for prosecution of traders if they can prove financial gain from mileage fraud. But the legal framework remains unclear, with many gray areas.
The last significant government review of odometer fraud occurred in 2016, as part of a consultation paper on road worthiness testing in tractors. Since then, the Department for Transport has remained non-committal, leading to criticism from consumer rights groups and trade organizations.
Jon Clay, identification director at HPI, explains that while selling a vehicle with incorrect mileage is not a crime, the failure to disclose it can be. However, proving such cases is challenging, especially when devices like mileage blockers are involved.
This lack of clear legislation leaves both buyers and reputable dealers vulnerable to fraud, highlighting the need for stronger measures to protect consumers in the used car market.