Car ‘clocking’ is the practice of turning a car’s mileage reading back, in order to display a reduced number of miles on a car’s odometer with the aim of increasing the car’s price and making it more attractive to a would-be buyer.
In a case brought by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment’s Trading Standards Service (TSS), Mr Richard (Dicky) Barton (44), from Dundooan Park, Coleraine, who traded as DB Autos at the same address, pleaded guilty to five charges under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968.
The court heard how a car had been advertised for sale in a trade magazine, as having 77,000 miles on its odometer. The previous owner of the car saw the advertisement and knew it had travelled at least 101,000 miles at the time he sold it. He reported the matter to the Trading Standards Service, by which time the car had been sold to an unsuspecting third-party.
A TSS investigation detected a total of three vehicles that had been sold by Mr Barton, with incorrect mileage readings showing on the odometer. In one instance, Mr Barton sold the same ‘clocked’ car on two occasions to unsuspecting consumers. The car had been returned to him when the ‘clocking’ was discovered by the original purchaser.
Angela Gilliland of the Trading Standards Service said: “Richard Barton knew the mileage readings were incorrect on these vehicles, yet he failed to disclose this information to his customers. This is a classic case of a trader deceiving customers and trying to obtain money by making mileage appear less than it actually is.
“Consumers should always be vigilant when purchasing second hand cars. Whilst the majority of second-hand car dealers conduct their business in an honest manner, there are still a minority who will attempt to flout the law, causing consumers serious financial loss.
“This case should serve as a warning to those traders who are tempted to break the law. Formal enforcement action will be taken against them, including prosecution.”
Anyone who believes they have been sold a vehicle or any other good that has been misdescribed to them by a trader, should contact Consumerline on tel: 0845 600 6262 or tel: 028 9025 3900, or alternatively log on to www.consumerline.org.
Notes to Editors:
1. The Trading Standards Service investigates possible offences relating to clocked cars under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968. Under section 1 of the Act, it is an offence for a trader to apply a false trade description and also to supply or offer to supply, a clocked car.
2. Members of the public who are concerned about car clocking can phone Consumerline on 0845 600 6262.
3. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, telephone 028 9052 9297. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
