A newspaper has carried out an investigation into so-called ‘mileage correction’ companies. The Sun paid half a dozen companies around the country to reduce the mileage on vehicles. Each firm had a disclaimer that mileage correction could not be used for profit, but all agreed to change the odometer on an ‘ask no questions, tell no lies’ basis.
The investigation pleased Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association “We are encouraged to see that The Sun has carried out an investigation into companies offering odometer adjustment services” she said, adding that an EU proposal to outlaw such companies ‘does not do enough’ to combat the issue.
However, there is a fear that tight regulation will do noting to deter criminals and make work harder for technicians and could be used by VMs as a way for VMs to excuse ‘locking out’ the independent sector.
One commenter on the newspaper’s website observed: “A car’s dashboard reading should never be trusted. A buyer should always ask to see the service history, stamped service book, service, repairs and tyre invoices and all MOT certificates”.
Interestingly, it is franchised dealers that have the most to gain from a ban. It is believed that the fastest growing area for mileage fraud is nearly new vehicles on lease hire schemes, where the keeper can be fined up to 50p per mile over the agreed mileage.
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