Evading the Trap of Car Clocking

Buying a used car has become a rising trend with an increasing number of buyers browsing the car lots of used car dealers to purchase a ‘new’ used car. With the increased durability of automobile components, today’s cars are built to last longer. The fact that you can browse through a vehicle’s history, provenance and service records by availing the Vehicle History Document makes purchasing a used car a trustworthy venture as well. But buyers should steer clear of malpractices perpetrated in the used car selling industry. Clocking refers to one of such deceitful tactics wherein the odometer of a car is rolled back to display a lower mileage.

The lower the odometer reading, the higher the price a used car seller can demand. Buying a clocked car can not only be an expensive affair but it can also be dangerous. An inaccurate estimate of the car’s age can cause you to delay essential repairs. There are certain measures you can take to avoid becoming a victim of car clocking.

How to avoid buying a clocked car

• ·        Look for signs of tampering

Get a certified mechanic on-board to help you inspect the odometer for signs of tampering. One of the possible signs of odometer clocking is misaligned digits on the odometer.

• ·        Peruse the vehicle history documents

You can obtain the vehicle history documents of a used car from the car dealer or online from web services such as Carfax and AutoCheck. You can compare the displayed mileage of the car to what is mentioned in the documents.

• ·        Assess the condition of the car

Inspect the car for chips on the bonnet and bumper that could indicate long journeys. Worn out carpets and mats, seats and pedal rubbers can also point towards a car that has been driven for more miles than what the odometer reading reflects.

Reputable classifieds websites can make your car buying experience a much more reliable process. SoloAutos is one such website that provides listings of used cars in San Antonio and other Texas cities. The information provided is comprehensive and credible, making for a hassle-free buying experience for those who’d like to purchase used cars in San Antonio.

How to avoid being a victim of VIN cloning

The quest for a used car can lead to getting a well-maintained model for a price considerably lower than the original. Lower insurance costs and reduced registration fees are other factors that make the purchase of a used car so much more tantalizing. But buying a used car is also fraught with the risk of becoming a hapless victim of common car scams, one of which is ‘VIN cloning’.

What is VIN cloning?

VIN cloning refers to an intricate scam that involves stealing a car, taking a VIN or Vehicle Identification Number from a car of a similar make and model and using it to make fake VIN plates for the stolen car.

If you are sold a stolen car, you are paying money for something that is not, technically, yours. If your vehicle is discovered to be stolen, it will be confiscated and you’ll be left with nothing but resentment and a faint chance of recovering the money lost if the laws in your state require a faulty car dealer to pay up for selling a stolen vehicle.

How can you safeguard yourself from VIN cloning?

When buying used cars, you can take certain steps to ascertain that you aren’t buying a stolen vehicle.

• ·        Ask for a vehicle history report

Once you have access to a vehicle history report, tally the current odometer display with the reported mileage. Multiple registrations in different locations over a short period of time should raise a red flag.

• ·        Check the VIN in multiple locations in the car

Check that the VIN plate on the dashboard, driver’s door sticker and car frame match with each other and do not display any signs of tampering. Also, see if the VIN on the car matches with the vehicle history report and service history documents.

• ·        Be wary of unbelievably low prices

If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of prices lower than what other car dealers are asking for the same make and model. Ask a qualified mechanic to check the car for signs of VIN cloning if you are doubtful.

Buying a used car, whether in Houston, Texas, or other US cities, requires you to be vigilant and skeptical. No one wants to be a victim of a scam and there’s no reason that you should be one. Using a reputable website for buying used cars can also serve to scaffold you from a sour experience. SoloAutos is a website that helps residents of Houston and other Texas cities find used cars available with authorized car dealerships and credible car owners. The site only lists used cars in Houston that have passed a benchmark test for legitimate ownership, maintenance and performance.