Clocked cars and odometer fraud

This is a vehicle whose odometer or mileage recorder has been put back or reduced so that it appears to have less miles on the clock.

A vehicle that has been ‘clocked’ could turn out to be both dangerous and expensive as it may have more worn parts than expected. Always carry out a comprehensive history check before buying a used vehicle and get an independent qualified mechanic to inspect it thoroughly.

Contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) on 1890 432 432 to establish what your rights and options are under consumer protection legislation. If you have concerns as to whether your vehicle is safe to drive bring it to a qualified mechanic for a thorough inspection.

Contact the Institute of Automotive Engineers and Assessors (IAEA) who may be able to provide you with a list of qualified mechanics in your area.

Check the NCT/CVRT odometer history on the test certificate and the current reading on the disc. Ask to see the certificate or disc and compare with the reading on the vehicle now.

Carry out a comprehensive history check through online websites (a fee may apply). This can show if a vehicle has been written-off, clocked or if it has outstanding finance.

Ask to see the vehicle’s service history book and check for regular maintenance and the odometer recording.

Yes.

It is illegal to interfere or engage another person to interfere with an odometer under the Road Traffic Act, 2014.

Furthermore, it is an offence for a trader to mislead customers by providing false information in relation to a ‘products usage or prior history’  under the The Consumer Protection Act 2007.

Enforcement of road traffic law is the responsibility of An Garda Síochána.

Contact your local garda station or Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) who have successively taken cases against traders for misleading customers by providing false information in relation to the usage and prior history of vehicles. If the dealer or garage is a member of SIMI (Society of the Irish Motor Industry) you may also wish to report to them.

Yes, there may be legitimate reasons e.g., if an odometer has been replaced. However, this mostly relates to commercial vehicles and should only be carried out for genuine reasons. If there has been an inadvertent change to the odometer reading while an owner is undertaking a repair, then every effort should be made to rectify this with the repairer. A buyer should always ask if the mileage is genuine and if a seller indicates that an odometer has been replaced ask why and ask for certified proof of the original mileage from the seller.

The NCTS is not responsible for policing odometer fraud or clocked vehicles. The data recorded at the NCT is transferred to the Department of Transport National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) where it is stored and An Garda Síochána have access to this data. Enforcement of the road traffic acts relating to clocking is the responsibility of the gardai.

A clocked car could have more worn parts than would be expected. Despite the additional mileage it may have been serviced and or parts replaced before sale. It is important to note also that the NCT cert is not a warranty. We strongly advise all potential buyers to carry out a history check and get a vehicle independently checked by a qualified mechanic before buying regardless of whether it has a valid NCT or not. Contact NCT customer service team to make a complaint on 01 4135994.