Car clocking more widespread than five years ago
Dealers have warned that car clocking remains a serious issue in the UK, warning that up to 14% of used cars have had their mileage tampered with.
A survey of 310 used car dealers in the UK found that 81% believe car clocking is widespread within the UK used car market, with six in 10 believing is has increased in the last five years.
Based on these findings, Cazoo is now calling on the government to make car clocking a specific criminal offence. It is being backed by the Vehicle Safe Trading Advisory Group while 90% of dealers surveyed also support the introduction of such an offence.
The government has confirmed it will introduce new measures to tackle the clocking of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles ahead of the introduction of pay-per-mile taxation from April 2028, but Cazoo believes action is needed now to protect the wider used-car market.
Lucy Tugby, chief marketing officer at Cazoo, said: “The law as it stands simply doesn’t go far enough. Selling a clocked car can already be prosecuted under fraud and consumer protection laws, but there is no specific offence of altering a vehicle’s mileage. We believe a dedicated offence would send a much clearer message and act as a stronger deterrent.
“Dealers are already doing the work to check mileage, with more than three quarters of those surveyed saying they check MOT history before selling a vehicle. They deserve stronger protection against clocked cars entering their stock. We shouldn’t wait until 2028 or limit protections to one type of vehicle. Closing the loophole now would help create a fairer, safer used-car market.”
