Government to ban car clocking as commercial practice

The UK Government intends to add car clocking to its list of banned commercial practices, aiming to simplify enforcement actions against dealers who use the mileage‑tampering technique. The move, announced by the Department for Transport, reflects growing concern over consumer deception and seeks to protect buyer confidence in the used‑car market.

Key takeaways

• Car clocking will become a prohibited commercial practice.
• The change is designed to ease enforcement against dishonest dealers.
• Dealers must ensure mileage records are accurate.
• The measure targets consumer protection in the used‑car sector.
• No implementation date is specified in the announcement.

Current status of car clocking

Car clocking, the manipulation of a vehicle’s recorded mileage, is presently not listed among prohibited commercial activities. It is widely regarded as a dishonest practice that misleads buyers and can affect vehicle valuation.

Because it falls outside the existing prohibited list, regulators have limited tools for rapid action against dealers who employ the technique.

Proposed addition to banned practices

The Government plans to formally add car clocking to the roster of banned commercial practices. This classification will give authorities a clear legal basis to pursue offences linked to mileage falsification.

By treating clocking as a prohibited activity, the policy aims to streamline investigations and court procedures, reducing the burden on both regulators and the legal system.

Enforcement implications

With the new ban, enforcement agencies will be able to act more quickly against dealers who misrepresent mileage. The change is expected to deter dishonest behaviour and encourage greater transparency.

Dealers will need to verify mileage records and maintain accurate documentation to avoid breaching the forthcoming rule.

What this means for dealers

Dealers must review their internal processes to ensure mileage data is genuine and auditable. Failure to comply could result in regulatory action under the new prohibited‑practice framework.

Adopting robust checks now can help protect reputation and avoid potential penalties once the ban is enforced.

Frequently asked questions

What is car clocking?

Car clocking is the practice of altering a vehicle’s recorded mileage to make it appear lower than it actually is, a form of deception that the Government now intends to ban as a commercial practice.

When will the ban on car clocking take effect?

The announcement does not provide a specific implementation date; it only states the Government’s intention to add clocking to the list of prohibited practices.

How will dealers be affected by the new rule?

Dealers will need to ensure that all mileage information is accurate and verifiable. Accurate records will help avoid breaching the new ban and reduce the risk of enforcement action.