Mileage
5.7 Generally, before exposing any vehicle
for sale you should take all reasonable
steps to establish the accuracy of the
stated mileage.9
5.8 In most circumstances you would be
expected in the first instance to at least
conduct a mileage check on the vehicle
with an independent and reliable company.
Other checks may include:
• Checking with VOSA. If you have the
document reference number from the
V5C registration certificate and the
vehicle registration mark, you can check
the mileage shown on the MOT history
(if the vehicle is more than three years
old) at
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/
OwningAVehicle/Mot/DG_10020539.
• Ensuring that the internal and external
condition of the vehicle is comparable
with the described age and mileage of
the vehicle – the condition/appearance
of the vehicle may give cause to suspect
the accuracy of the mileage reading
(for example, worn out seats/pedals but
low mileage on the odometer).
5.9 If a discrepancy is discovered in the
mileage record through the basic checks
you have carried out or as a result of any
other information suggesting that the
mileage may be incorrect, you should
carry out further investigations, for
example checking the mileage with all
previous keepers shown in the vehicle V5
registration document. If you do not have
this document, you can obtain details of
previous owners by contacting the DVLA
in Swansea in writing. Some companies
such as HPI and Experian can provide
a full Mileage Investigation Service that
carries out these checks for you.
5.10 Unless you are satisfied that the mileage
of a vehicle shown by its odometer is
accurate, such mileage should not be
quoted in advertisements, discussions
or negotiations or in any documents
related to the supply of the vehicle
which is ultimately destined for supply
to consumers.
Informing consumers about mileage
discrepancies
5.11 As well as taking all reasonable steps
to establish the vehicle’s mileage, you
should inform the consumer prior to
sale of:
• The steps you have taken, and
• What you have found out or not been
able to find out, or know, about the
mileage or likely mileage. For example,
if you know from checking the last MOT
test record that the vehicle’s current
odometer reading is wrong and that
the last recorded mileage was ‘x miles’
or that the vehicle has travelled ‘in
excess of x miles’ you should provide
consumers with this information.
Mileage disclaimers
5.12 You should not rely on a mileage
disclaimer as a substitute for carrying
out reasonable checks on a vehicle –
to do so is likely to substantially increase
the risk of you breaching the CPRs.
Mileage disclaimers should only be used
as a last resort where after completing all
reasonable checks:
• You identify that the mileage is
incorrect, or
• It has been impossible to verify the
correct mileage.
5.13 You should not rely on generic mileage
disclaimers as a substitute for giving
consumers specific information about
what you have found out or not been able
to find out, or know, about the vehicle’s
mileage or likely mileage – see further
paragraphs 5.14 and 5.15 below. This is
likely to be material information that the
consumer needs in order to make an
informed choice.
5.14 For example, if the vehicle’s odometer
displays 52,000 miles but a check of MOT
test records shows that the vehicle had a
previously recorded mileage of 136,000
in May 2010, you should not rely solely
on a generic disclaimer such as, for
instance, ‘the mileage is incorrect and
should be disregarded’ or ‘the mileage
may not be true and should not be relied
on as an indication of the distance the
vehicle has travelled’. You should also
inform the consumer that you have
checked the last MOT test record which
showed that the vehicle had a recorded
mileage of 136,000 in May 2010, so the
currently displayed mileage of 52,000
is incorrect.
5.15 In such circumstances, the OFT
recommends the use of a prominent
written notice such as: ‘MOT test records
show this vehicle had a recorded mileage
of 136,000 in May 2010, so the currently
displayed mileage of 52,000 is incorrect’
which provides the consumer with the
important information they need to make
an informed decision.
