The most-commonly clocked used car of 2023 so far has been revealed

If you’re buying a second-hand car, it’s always recommended to do a background check on it before handing over any cash.

For a small fee, a number of providers will give you a report that reveals if the vehicle has previously been in a crash and repaired, written off by an insurer or shows as having outstanding finance remaining on it.

And one vehicle history checking firm has revealed that there’s a very popular model in particular that is most commonly flagging up as having been clocked by scam artists.

Almost one in seven used versions of this car checked by carVertical so far in 2023 have been found to have had the mileage falsely adjusted in a bid to dupe unwitting buyers into paying more for them than what they’re really worth.

The act of ‘clocking’ is returning thanks to new tech. We reveal the model that’s been found to have had the mileage adjusted most commonly in 2023 so far

The motor in question is the hugely popular Vauxhall Astra.

CarVertical claims that 14.5 per cent of second-hand Astras offered for sale have had their mileage illegally adjusted.

By doing so, a seller can demand a higher price from a buyer under the false pretence that the car has been used less than it really has. It also suggests a lower level of wear and tear on consumable parts – such as the brakes and tyres – based on the quoted mileage displayed in the car and written into adverts.

The research by carVertical warns that many motorists are at risk of falling victim to this scam, with the Astra being the fifth most-bought used car in the UK in the first three months of the year. 

The most-clocked car of 2023 so far is Vauxhall's Astra. CarVertical claims that 14.5% of second-hand Astras offered for sale have had their mileage illegally adjusted

The most-clocked car of 2023 so far is Vauxhall’s Astra. CarVertical claims that 14.5% of second-hand Astras offered for sale have had their mileage illegally adjusted

Clocking was prevalent in the days of analogue vehicle odometers that were simple to wind back. Now you can find services online that can adjust the indicated mileage on a digital dash

Clocking was prevalent in the days of analogue vehicle odometers that were simple to wind back. Now you can find services online that can adjust the indicated mileage on a digital dash

Some 41,116 Vauxhall family hatchbacks have changed hands between the start of January and the end of March, according to official figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

This means ‘thousands of drivers could have unwittingly bought a clocked model,’ the history check provider says.

The act of ‘clocking’, which was prevalent in the days of analogue vehicle odometers that were simple to wind back, has become more common thanks to new tech.

Similarly, easy access to mileage adjustment services online, some of whom will behave legitimately – but others less so – are all exacerbating the return of this dodgy act.

What’s also making it more common, according to experts, is the increase in mileage-related finance arrangements such as Hire Purchase and Personal Contract Purchase, with drivers more likely to consider finding ways to alter the digital odometer in their car to avoid costly penalties for exceeding mileage allowances in their contracts.

Britain’s 10 most clocked used cars in 2023 so far 

1. Vauxhall Astra: 14.5%

2. Audi A6: 14.4%

3. Audi TT: 13.4%

4. Land Rover Range Rover: 13.3%

5. Audi A3: 12.1%

6. Mercedes-Benz E-Class: 11.4%

7. Audi A4: 11.2%

8. Vauxhall Corsa: 10.9%

9. Land Rover Discovery: 10.3%

10. Volkswagen Golf: 10%

Source: carVertical 

CarVertical's background checks on all vehicles so far this year has found the Audi A6 is the second most-clocked motor of all, with 14.4% of used models found to have had mileage adjusted

CarVertical’s background checks on all vehicles so far this year has found the Audi A6 is the second most-clocked motor of all, with 14.4% of used models found to have had mileage adjusted

The sporty Audi TT is also among the 10 most-clocked second-hand vehicles in 2023 - 13.4% of cars checked had different mileage to what official records show

The sporty Audi TT is also among the 10 most-clocked second-hand vehicles in 2023 – 13.4% of cars checked had different mileage to what official records show

Luxury brands are said to be a particular target for scammers, as their high-value models offer the chance of increased profits for unscrupulous sellers. Some 13.3% of Range Rovers checked in 2023 were found to be clocked by the provider of background checks

Luxury brands are said to be a particular target for scammers, as their high-value models offer the chance of increased profits for unscrupulous sellers. Some 13.3% of Range Rovers checked in 2023 were found to be clocked by the provider of background checks

CarVeritical’s analysis of thousands of vehicle history searches conducted in the UK between January and May this year found that luxury Audis, Land Rovers and Mercedes also dominate the list of the most-clocked models.

Audi’s A6, TT, A3 and A4 all feature in the list of the ten most-commonly clocked used cars identified by carVertical so far this year, while there are two Land Rovers (Range Rover and Land Rover Discovery) along with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon. 

These and other luxury brands are said to be a particular target for scammers, as their high-value models offer the chance of increased profits for unscrupulous sellers, the provider said.

Completing the top 10 most-clocked vehicles of 2023 is the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf, the second and third most-bought used vehicles in the UK in the first three months of the year with 59,963 and 57,549 changing hands respectively between January and March. 

Some 12.1% of all second-hand Audi A3s advertised were found to have dodgy mileage listed

Some 12.1% of all second-hand Audi A3s advertised were found to have dodgy mileage listed

A rise in clocking is linked to an increase in car finance with contracts having set mileage limits. Drivers are more likely to consider finding ways to alter the digital odometer in  to avoid costly penalties for exceeding allowances. CarVetical says 11.4% of Merc E-Classes are clocked

A rise in clocking is linked to an increase in car finance with contracts having set mileage limits. Drivers are more likely to consider finding ways to alter the digital odometer in  to avoid costly penalties for exceeding allowances. CarVetical says 11.4% of Merc E-Classes are clocked

More than 1 in 10 (11.2%) of Audi A4s checked this year were found to be clocked. Dealers found to have reduced the mileage on a vehicle for financial gain can be prosecuted under the Consumer Regulation Act

More than 1 in 10 (11.2%) of Audi A4s checked this year were found to be clocked. Dealers found to have reduced the mileage on a vehicle for financial gain can be prosecuted under the Consumer Regulation Act

Overall, 5.7 per cent of cars checked on carVertical over the last 12 months were found to be clocked. 

With 1.8 million used cars changing hands in the first three months of 2023, over 400,000 drivers are at risk of becoming a victim of mileage fraud this year alone, it said.

Car dealers who reduce the mileage on a vehicle for financial gain can be prosecuted under the Consumer Regulation Act, but the practice is sufficiently widespread that drivers who fail to get a history check on a second-hand car before buying risk becoming a victim of mileage fraud.

Previous research by carVertical found that falsely lowering a used vehicle’s mileage can inflate its sale price by as much as 25 per cent – meaning buyers could overpay by thousands of pounds when purchasing cars that have had their mileage adjusted illegally.

And for victims who buy a clocked car, it can be particularly difficult to seek justice and compensation.

That’s because the act itself of clocking a car’s odometer is not an offence.

Instead, it’s only a criminal action if a clocked car is sold on the used market without its genuine mileage being declared.

Previous research by carVertical found that falsely lowering a used vehicle’s mileage can inflate its sale price by as much as 25%. The Vauxhall Astra is 2023's 8th most-clocked car (10.9%)

Previous research by carVertical found that falsely lowering a used vehicle’s mileage can inflate its sale price by as much as 25%. The Vauxhall Astra is 2023’s 8th most-clocked car (10.9%)

Background checks on Land Rover Discoveries in 2023 so far have revealed that 10.3% are clocked

Background checks on Land Rover Discoveries in 2023 so far have revealed that 10.3% are clocked

Clocking is not an offence. It's only a criminal action if a car is sold on the used market without its genuine mileage being declared. Some 10% of VW Golfs checked in 2023 were clocked

Clocking is not an offence. It’s only a criminal action if a car is sold on the used market without its genuine mileage being declared. Some 10% of VW Golfs checked in 2023 were clocked

Matas Buzelis, car expert at carVertical, said clocking ‘remains a perennial issue in the UK’, with some vehicles more prone to having their mileage falsified than others.

‘Expensive, luxury models are a particular target as scammers can make big profits on high-value cars which appear to be lower mileage than they really are,’ he added.

‘Along with its age, a car’s mileage is a crucial determining factor of how much it’s really worth. 

‘So when you’re shopping for a second-hand car, it’s essential that you get an accurate mileage figure, and are aware of any other issues that might impact its true value.’

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