I need some advise on how you can tell if your car has been clocker.
I am looking to purchase a 2 year old car with 12000 on the clock and wanted find out if there is anyway of verifying the mileage. I have checked the services etc but this doesn't clarify the mileage for the past year which was approx 3000 are there any other ways of checking??
Thanks
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You might want to tell us what moake/model of car it is, since the answers might vary depending on whether it's got a digital readout or not.
For what it's worth I don't think any of the methods I've heard of are particularly reliable. I also wouldn't expect a car to have been clocked for only 7000 miles (or so), so I wouldn't think you'd need to worry about this one. I certainly wouldn't rely on my advice though!
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The car is an Audi TT 180 quattro....
It prob hasn't been clocked but as this is the fist time I have purchased a second hand car wanted to check it out/get some advice.
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i got told by an off duty traffic cop, that the 1st way to tell was see how the speedo needle moved.
if it was juddery during accelleration from a stand still and just before coming to a stand still, it was a sign of 'possible' clocking.
if it juddered for both the accellerating & stopping to/from stand still its a 'very high possibility' of clocking.
hope this helps, but he said you can't really be 100% sure
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i got told by an off duty traffic cop, that the 1st way to tell was see how the speedo needle moved. if it was juddery during accelleration from a stand still and just before coming to a stand still, it was a sign of 'possible' clocking. if it juddered for both the accellerating & stopping to/from stand still its a 'very high possibility' of clocking. hope this helps, but he said you can't really be 100% sure
That used to be the case, but with electronic digital odometers, it's all done electronically now with a laptop and some dodgy software plugged into the car - the speedo doesn't get touched.
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If it's being sold privately, and it's one owner, can they explain (to your satisfaction) why it did 9000 miles in year 1 and only 3000 in year 2?
If it's a dealer, ask him to guarantee the mileage.
Even if a car like this had clocked, say from 25,000 miles back to 12,000, it would probably be pretty hard to tell. Is it still on its original tyres - I'm guessing at 12,000 (with 4WD) they'd be maybe half worn? Does the car look 'immaculate'? No (or very few) stone chips etc.
Ask an Audi dealer if the mileage is stored anywhere else in the cars electronics.
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I have had the odd phone call asking to verify whether or not a car is genuine, from buyers who are buying from the people who sold it to me. I certainly didn't mind answering questions about the car.
See if there's been a previous owner, take down their details and see if you can contact them. If you do, out of respect, keep the questions brief and focused on the car. Don't find yourself wandering onto their lifestyle.
H
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Look for the small self adhesive sticker, on the back of the speedometer housing, which reads OH NO NOT AGAIN PLEASE!!
VB
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A lot of TT'S are on variable servicing with the computer display letting you know how many miles till the next one. In any case they need to be serviced once every 2 years. If it has only done 3000 miles since the last service, the computer should calculate and show 3000 miles till the next service (1 more year).
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If it has done low mileage genuinely , you would expect on loooking under the bonnet to see all aluminium metalwork to be nice and shiny, no dirt layers , no rusting nuts and bolts and an exhaust sytem in pristine condition.
The tyres should have 6-7mm of tread - on each.
The spare should be unused.
The wiper blades should be as new.
The pedal rubbers and carpets/handbarke surrounds and steering wheel and all interior trim should be unworn.
If it looks like a new car, it probably is genuine.
Any significant failures on the baove or multiple failures shoud be treated with extreme suspicion.
madf
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madf - the car's done 12,000 miles in 2 yrs. It should be good, but not *that* good.
The wipers on my wifes Jazz needed replacing at 18mths and 6000 miles (they'd all split).
On a 4WD car like this, I'd expect the tyres to wear pretty evenly, but it's a high performance car, probably on softish tyres, so they're likely to something like half worn.
I'd expect to see very slight wear on other things, but nothing more than that.
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Thing is these cars hide mileage well.
I would ask to see the V5, get a note of the last owner and ring them. also ring the servicing agent as detailed on the other posts.
Both should tally.
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You are right to be cautious, these cars are just the sort of vehicle that would be clocked.
I would get a full RAC/AA inspection on something of this value. If the owner objects, run away. Ask the inspector the question directly, "does the indicated mileage reflected in the condition of the vehicle"
Ask the owners why the change in mileage, and see if you believe their answer.
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Dear khwalker
Experian(VMC) which operates through the AA and the NMR(HPi)IMVA each hold more than 80 million readings from a variety of sources. The majority of this data comes from the BVRLA and the RMIF..and yes some from the DVLA.
BVRLA data tends to come from fleet disposals from members defleeted stock but also through BVRLA associates (servicing). All RMIF data comes through servicing.
Experian offers a stand alone mileage check for £9.50. You ring 0870 241 7118 and supply the information on your vehicle and they will tell you what mileages have been recorded and when. No guarantee is provided with stand the alone mileage check however.
It is important to remember that not all cars have mileages recorded, particularly a lot of newer cars. Some fleets do not register mileages with the BVRLA on disposal for the simple reason that their higher mileage cars are likely to fetch more-in some cases hundreds of pounds more at auction than they might have done otherwise.
Check with previous keepers and ring garages whose details appear in the service book and invoices if you are suspicious.Its easy to make a history with a PC and scanner these days. Its worth dropping a line to previous owners too!
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As mentioned above one thing that is ESSENTIAL when buying any second hand car is an HPI check - many companies do them, AA, RAC etc, etc - this is still no 100% guarantee the car hasn't been clocked but it's certainly a good way there.
As other people say, check out the general wear & tear of the car - condition should reflect mileage, having a good chat with the seller about the car & it's history should also provide some pointers - don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.
Finally I'd say one thing - "if it feels dodgy it probably is - walk away !!"
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