Cazoo calls for tougher laws on car clocking
A recent survey of 310 UK used car dealers has prompted Cazoo to advocate for a new criminal offense specifically targeting mileage tampering. The findings reveal that 60% of dealers express growing worries about the increasing practice of clocking, with six in 10 believing it has worsened over the past five years. Furthermore, 81% view it as a critical issue within the industry.
Dealers estimate that approximately 14% of pre-owned vehicles they inspect may have tampered mileage readings. It’s important to note that this figure represents dealers’ suspicions rather than confirmed cases of clocking.
An overwhelming majority, nine in 10 respondents, endorse the idea of classifying deliberate mileage alteration as a distinct criminal offense. This proposal also gains support from the Vehicle Safe Trading Advisory Group (VSTAG). Lucy Tugby, Cazoo’s chief marketing officer, stated, “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. They believe a dedicated offence would send a much clearer message and act as a stronger deterrent.
Government Plans Legislation
Government plans to introduce offenses related to odometer tampering and ban the supply or installation of tampering devices are part of the Electric Vehicle Excise Duty legislation. This mileage-based charge for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is scheduled to start in April 2028. Cazoo urges immediate action to safeguard the entire used car market, encompassing petrol and diesel vehicles, well before this date.
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Debbie Parkinson, senior operations and trust manager at Cazoo and VSTAG member, commented, “Clocking remains a very real concern and VSTAG fully supports proposals to make deliberate mileage alteration a specific criminal offence to better protect motorists and legitimate dealers.” A significant 68% of surveyed dealers believe that altering mileage on modern cars is relatively easy with the right tools, technology, or software.
Among those who perceive an increase in clocking, 67% attribute this to technological advancements facilitating digital mileage manipulation. Cazoo has enhanced its vehicle listings by incorporating MOT history, displaying test dates, results, and recorded mileage from official DVSA records, along with a mileage chart when available.
Industry Calls Action
Cazoo encourages dealers, motorists, and industry stakeholders to back its petition advocating for deliberate mileage alteration to be recognized as a specific criminal offense. As vehicle technology advances, so do the methods for mileage tampering, showing the need for rigorous checks. The survey highlights that 77% of dealers verify MOT history before selling, while 63% examine service history. Additional precautions include comparing mileage with vehicle condition (45%), checking for tampering signs (43%), reviewing digital manufacturer records (39%), and utilizing third-party vehicle history checks (37%).
These measures aim to shield both dealers and customers from the risks associated with clocked vehicles. The survey also reveals that 47% of respondents consider the low cost and online availability of tampering equipment as contributing factors, while 45% point to the potential financial gains from selling clocked cars. Older vehicles are deemed most vulnerable by 53% of respondents, followed by commercial vehicles and vans (28%), and electric vehicles (27%). Cazoo emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue through legislative action to better protect consumers and reputable dealers.
