Clocked Car - How much to offer trader.

Millionaire

Hi,

I friend of mine has recently purchased a vehicle from a trader for £2900 advertised with 99,000 on the clock. It was on for £3000.

However it has come to his attention that the vehicle has been clocked a few years back and in fact it had done 114,000 in 2006 then clocked to 62,000, so in total, minimum mileage is 166,000 miles for definite but more like 180,000 to 190,000 estimate.

The trader has asked what would he would like if he was to keep the vehicle rather than return it.

Any idea's how much he should offer for it? What would you do in this scenario?

motorguy

Millionaire wrote: »

Hi,

I friend of mine has recently purchased a vehicle from a trader for £2900 advertised with 99,000 on the clock. It was on for £3000.

However it has come to his attention that the vehicle has been clocked a few years back and in fact it had done 114,000 in 2006 then clocked to 62,000, so in total, minimum mileage is 166,000 miles for definite but more like 180,000 to 190,000 estimate.

The trader has asked what would he would like if he was to keep the vehicle rather than return it.

Any idea's how much he should offer for it? What would you do in this scenario?

I would find the price of similar 190K cars and compare that to what he has paid / similar 99K cars, and then ask for the difference.

fred7777

If I understand your post correctly the trader is offering to let you return the car? If he is then do so. If your friend wanted a 200,000 mole car surely he would have bought on rather than a 99,000 car. If it's been clocked then what else has been done & what hasn't? How do you know how old things are and what maintenance is required? When the brakes were changed, how old the cam belt is etc etc

Gordon_Hose

Yeah, I'd be returning it.

Your friend will have a nightmare selling it on. Let the dealer sort it out.

JimmyTheWig

Agree with fred7777. This could be a death-trap.

Strider590

Hmmm.... what was it? a Taxi?

You'll have no idea of when it was last serviced or whether it needs a cambelt

benham3160

Could be perfectly ligitimate, lots of modern cars end up with a couple of clocksets in their life due to failed instrument panels.

"Clocking" per-se really isn't that common anymore, it's very difficult to do (see how much "Mileage Correction" costs!) and people are much more aware of it.

Buyer Beware, as the saying goes "Mileage Displayed Is For Indication Purposes Only", unless it was offered with a warenteed mileage really there isn't a lot you can do.

So, as they're doing it as goodwill, I'd offer they make the difference between the cars value (paid) and actual worth then a few quid for the inconvience.

Regards,
Andy

motorguy

benham3160 wrote: »

Could be perfectly ligitimate, lots of modern cars end up with a couple of clocksets in their life due to failed instrument panels.

"Clocking" per-se really isn't that common anymore, it's very difficult to do (see how much "Mileage Correction" costs!) and people are much more aware of it.

Buyer Beware, as the saying goes "Mileage Displayed Is For Indication Purposes Only", unless it was offered with a warenteed mileage really there isn't a lot you can do.

So, as they're doing it as goodwill, I'd offer they make the difference between the cars value (paid) and actual worth then a few quid for the inconvience.

Regards,
Andy

+1

reading between the lines, we would have to assume that the buyer is otherwise happy with the car - otherwise they wouldnt be considering the offer by the dealer?

Hammyman

Hmm... My mate had a vectra that did 250k with little servicing and I've owned a few really high milers.

I think I'd be taking it back as there's plenty of genuine ones out there. Kudos to the trader though.

silvercar

Are you saying that your friend has discovered it has been clocked and presented this to the trader. So the trader has sold on a clocked car! Your friend won't be able to sell the car on without indicating the true mileage to the buyer.Sounds dodgy to me, I'd be inclined to get a refund and walk away.

I wonder how much the trader would pay? However much he would suffer if the car ended up with trading standards and he was prosecuted? Sounds like the trader is trying to buy off your friend.

motorguy

silvercar wrote: »

Are you saying that your friend has discovered it has been clocked and presented this to the trader. So the trader has sold on a clocked car! Your friend won't be able to sell the car on without indicating the true mileage to the buyer.Sounds dodgy to me, I'd be inclined to get a refund and walk away.

I wonder how much the trader would pay? However much he would suffer if the car ended up with trading standards and he was prosecuted? Sounds like the trader is trying to buy off your friend.

The car was clocked long before the dealer had it.

Hes now offering a partial refund to allow the buyer to keep the car, yet not be out of pocket.

I'm not sure i see much of a problem here?