FAQs - Cars

Our most frequently asked questions about cars are below. If your question hasn't been answered, then please telephone Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the Consumer Direct website at www.direct.gov.uk/consumer (opens in a new window).

You can also view our leaflets by using the links in the more information section on this page.

Q - What is clocking?

A - Clocking is illegal. It is the practice of reducing the mileage on the odometer of a vehicle. Vehicles with lower mileages are worth more, so a trader can increase the value of his stock, sometimes by thousands of pounds, by selling clocked vehicles. 

We regularly check the history of vehicles sold through auctions and on car lots to try and spot clocked cars but we can't check everything. 

So look out for popular models with average mileage but above average wear and tear on paintwork, interior and engine.

Q - An advert in the paper was advertising cars for £99 deposit then £25 a week. It didn't say for how many weeks. Isn't that misleading?

A - Yes, credit adverts giving weekly or monthly payments must also set out the following:

  • How many payments must be made.
  • Whether there are other charges such as document fees.
  • The total amount you have to pay under the agreement.
  • The APR.

Q - The dealer offered me £1500 in part exchange but when I said I wanted his interest free credit he said he could only give me £1000. Can he do that?

A - No. Free means completely free. If he's offered you £500 less in part exchange he's really charging you £500 for your "free" credit, which is illegal.

Related documents

The following documents are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You can download the PDF software for free from the Adobe website (opens in a new window)

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