Would you buy a car with a faulty speedo?

InsideInsurance

maxmycardagain wrote: »

a quick check on the VOSA MOT website would show the MOT and mileage history

Well it sort of depends doesnt it?

My father used to get his speedo disconnected to reduce the perceived mileage his car did. The MOT certs would show he did about 10-12k a year as it was reconnected annually for the test and disconnected again next time he could get it in for it to be done. Reality was the car was doing many times this.

When my mother went to sell his car after he'd died the chap couldnt reconnect the cable saying one of the pins had snapped so she sold it as with a faulty speedo. The buyer commented that the car had done fairly high mileage for its age - if only he knew the truth

bigjl

maxmycardagain wrote: »

a quick check on the VOSA MOT website would show the MOT and mileage history

I would never rely on a database or even a service history.

I know unscrupulous people that service their cars themselves and then take it to a main dealer once a year to confirm its low mileage credentials after clocking all but 6k off it.

Even having two sets of wheels, so the dealer techs don't see nearly worn out tyres on a 6k mile car.

Buying used is a minefield.

They will do this for 3/4 yrs and then sell the car for top book.

Clocking is easier now than it ever has been.

They can even do new Mercs, Jags and BMWs.

Always buy on condition.

A big file of history is nice but always view the car as a whole not just on history.

Norman_Castle

Depending on the car and costs one of these could be a solution.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GPS-LED-Head-Up-Display-Speedmeter-KM-h-and-MPH-speeding-warning-easy-to-install-/130701567844?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e6e6ba764

No idea if it would be an acceptable replacement for the MOT.

motorguy

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Depending on the car and costs one of these could be a solution.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GPS-LED-Head-Up-Display-Speedmeter-KM-h-and-MPH-speeding-warning-easy-to-install-/130701567844?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1e6e6ba764

No idea if it would be an acceptable replacement for the MOT.

I dont think they are, for various reasons including they can be switched off or removed.

Also, the non standard fit HUD's tend to be fairly naff

[Deleted User]

I wouldn't buy a car with a broken speedo as I wouldn't know how fast I'm going. Especially around speed cameras.

Stoke

agrinnall wrote: »

Of course, "speedo not working" could just be shorthand for "the car has done a million miles but the last 950,000 weren't recorded".

Very true.

It could also be a sign of "we've done a dodgy engine conversion or fitted a new loom and have no idea what we've doing, so we've blagged it and got it just about running".

Stoke

Deleted_User wrote: »

I wouldn't buy a car with a broken speedo as I wouldn't know how fast I'm going. Especially around speed cameras.

Phone GPS Speedo?

[Deleted User]

Stoke wrote: »

Phone GPS Speedo?

Not practical for every journey though.

londonTiger

Stoke wrote: »

Phone GPS Speedo?

if you're saying using this as a permament alternative to a proper speedo. This is the most cowboy thing I have ever read on MSE.

I'm pretty sure it is illegal to drive a car without a working speedo as well. A GPS one has lag and prone to error/

londonTiger

bigjl wrote: »

I would never rely on a database or even a service history.

I know unscrupulous people that service their cars themselves and then take it to a main dealer once a year to confirm its low mileage credentials after clocking all but 6k off it.

Even having two sets of wheels, so the dealer techs don't see nearly worn out tyres on a 6k mile car.

Buying used is a minefield.

They will do this for 3/4 yrs and then sell the car for top book.

Clocking is easier now than it ever has been.

They can even do new Mercs, Jags and BMWs.

Always buy on condition.

A big file of history is nice but always view the car as a whole not just on history.

How do you know such people?

Why do these people take the car to the dealer? the MOT test will keep an annual record of mileage.