End of the road for vehicle ‘clockers’

Confirming its place as the most comprehensive mileage database available in the UK, HPI’s National Mileage Register (NMR) now contains over 125 million mileage readings – providing valuable intelligence for dealers to combat the very real threat of clocking.

The NMR has grown by a staggering 25 million records since this time last year. 1 in every 12 vehicles checked with HPI shows a discrepancy or inconsistency in a vehicle’s mileage. Whilst upon investigation many inconsistencies are proven innocent, in other cases there is a very clear intention of someone trying to increase the value or the car and deceiving subsequent purchasers.

This consistent growth in the NMR is assisted by manufacturers such as BMW (UK), who provided HPI with a half a million new service and repair mileage records in 2007 – and they look to surpass that number in 2008.

In an HPI investigation, previous owners of the vehicle will be contacted and mileage details confirmed – making sure both dealers and customers are getting exactly what they paid for. The NMR can also provide more than just peace of mind. Any check which uncovers a discrepancy can form the basis of a legal defence against the 1968 Trade Description Act.

Prestige and specialist car retailer the Sytner Group and prestige vehicle manufacturer Bentley Motors are the latest to recognise the crucial role of the NMR – both have recently been given HPI ‘approved’ status, enabling their dealers to benefit from a mileage verification every time they conduct an HPI Check.

Daniel Burgess, director of automotive at HPI comments, “By reaching 125 million records, the National Mileage Register takes us a huge step further towards combating the problem of clocking. Legitimate dealers need to ensure they are protecting both their reputation and customers by making every effort to validate the true mileage of their vehicles, and set themselves apart from the more underhand retailers out there.”