Today's (26 October, 2011) report by the AA supports this belief with a survey of 5,430 cars imported from the UK this year. The headline result was that 11% of the cars have had their mileages doctored - or 'clocked'.
Cartell.ie has consistently highlighted potential issues with imported vehicles. It previously estimated that as many as 30% of imports have finance outstanding, were previously written off or have been clocked. On top of that, the importation process may mask the true number of owners a car has had. Overall the figures show that a person in the market to buy a car up to five years old has between a 1 in 4 and 1 in 5 chance of coming across a vehicle with a hidden history.
Earlier this year Cartell.ie drafted a Bill that sought to criminalise the clocking of a vehicle if enacted and this was presented to the Oireachtas at Transport Committee stage. Cartell.ie has also sought to highlight the issue of outstanding vehicle finance to consumers, and has been vocal in raising issues concerning write-offs - dating back to an investigation Cartell.ie conducted on the matter in 2007.
"If you are planning to bring in a car from Northern Ireland or Great Britain make sure that you check its history." Says Faughnan. Cartell.ie offers comprehensive car history checks on vehicles from the UK and Ireland - for added piece of mind.
The AA's data shows the most common 'clocked' makes in order:
Audi: 14.3%
Honda: 13.7%
Mercedes-Benz: 13.1%
Toyota: 12.7%
Volkswagen: 11.7%
Ford: 11.3%
BMW: 10.1%
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