Incorrect vehicle mileage

[dadidas]

I bought a motor car on Thursday & the mileage is incorrect. The advert for the car stated that the mileage was 133,000, with a full service history. Upon meeting the seller, he stated that his daughter had posted the advertisement & that the correct mileage was 90,000. I contacted the previous (& only) owner & I have discovered that the true mileage is 163,000. The previous owner confirmed that the car had a full service history. The digital readout on the dashboard shows 90,000 miles (approx). The seller told me that he did not have the service history manual available for me, as he could not find it. He said that the car had come to him by way of a local garage, who he dealt with for trade-in cars. The previous owner told me that the car had gone to an auction house after he had exchanged the car for a newer model at the garage. I cannot contact the auction house until Tuesday but I will, to check their records, including any stated mileage. Could anyone advise me as to the best steps foward please? I do like the car & despite the higher mileage, would have no problem in keeping it. Kind regards, Kevin.

[rnchugg]

It sounds like what is known in the motor trade as being "clocked" its where a lower mileage is put on to attract the buyer because of "low" mileage. Firstly I would double check the MOT certificate as its now law the ALL mileage is recorded.On your certificate the mileage will be shown, the other thing I would do is drop DVLA an email and asked them to provide you with all the last say 3 years Mot Mileage readings. They will have it all on file. Good luck anyway.

[dadidas]

Thank you for your time & your informative response.
Kind regards, Kevin.
I am still keen to hear from anybody else! The more I know, the better it is likely to be for me...?

[dadidas]

Further to my original posting, could I lose the car &/or my money?
Thank you, Kevin.

[TWR]

Take the car back, or If you want to keep the car & hope for the best, alternative, ask for your money back as the car has been sold under a false description Re/ Mileage.

[dadidas]

Thank you for your time.
Best regards, Kevin.

[rnchugg]

Your definition of "could I lose the car &/or my money? " well subject to what the DVLA say about the mileage, e.g. say the car HAS been clocked then you are well within the law to go to trading standards as you have been sold a car under false pretences. The seller could be fined and or imprisoned for doing this. (it is a criminal offence As regards to losing the car then as such there in no Law that has been broken by you as you have bought the car in genuine circumstances. I would personally perform an HPI test which can be done on the internet for a small cost and that would be another way to determine the mileage. The other thing I would do is make sure that you keep a record of EVERY correspondence you have with yourself and anyone else related to the car itself. Please let me know the outcome as you now have me intrigued me!

[dadidas]

Hi again & thanks for getting back.
My wife performed an HPI check, which coincides with the mileage information stated to us by the previous owner.
Written records of each stage of the proceedings have also been kept, so we appear to on the same page!
I believe that I will be able to keep the car also, so thanks for reassuring me.
Will keep you informed.
Good luck, Kevin.