14 June 2015

Retailers and the wider automotive industry need to be aware that clocking by private individuals is expected to rise as more and more private buyers buy on PCPs and then exceed the contracted mileage, according to Rupert Pontin, head of valuations at Glass’s.

Mr Pontin warned retailers that as buyers focus on getting the monthly payment as low as possible they are underestimating their annual mileage. And rather than pay hefty penalties for going over this agreed mileage they are clocking their cars before trading them in.

“We have experienced this trend, but as yet don’t have any firm figures on how big the problem is, or will become,” said Mr Pontin.

“Generally speaking, there has been little difficulty with this type of activity in recent years, but there is no doubt that examples of clocking are on the increase and there is a strong chance that this will become a widespread problem as the volume of PCP cars returning to the market steps up.”

Tags: clocking, Glass's, PCP