Clockers targeting used family cars, drivers warned

Motorists looking to purchase a second-hand family vehicle might not be considering the effect such a move could have on their car insurance policy, but with so many clocked vehicles on the market it might be worth consideration.

Auto information provider HPI is urging vehicle buyers to be on their guard for motors that may have been subject to clocking to push up prices.

Nicola Johnson, consumer services manager for HPI, commented: "Our analysis shows that clockers are avoiding the high end vehicles and concentrating on the every day vehicles.

"The relative ease of clocking these vehicles combined with sheer volume being sold represents the quickest buck for them and the biggest risk to the consumer."

She added that these modified vehicles may pose a safety threat to consumers, potentially having missed essential servicing or replacement part dates and meaning drivers could risk a car or van insurance claim when driving such an auto.

According to HPI, eight in ten vehicles it checks show mileage discrepancies, with modern autos featuring digital odometers making it easier for fraudsters to modify the distance travelled as no tell-tale marks are left behind.

Ms Johnson went on to urge drivers to protect themselves from fraud and the dangers of investing in a faulty vehicle.

Earlier this month HPI warned that increasing numbers of drivers have been fraudulently selling vehicles they do not fully own because of outstanding finance agreements on the models, also known as conversion fraud.

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The views expressed within the article are entirely those of Adfero Ltd and are not those of the BGL Group