Reputational risk a clocking conundrum for dealers
HPI urges dealers to protect themselves from the risks Over 70% of dealers surveyed by HPI, the automotive technology solutions provider, are concerned about damaging their reputation by inadvertently selling on a clocked vehicle. With 1 in 20 cars checked with HPI recorded as having a discrepant mileage, dealers are right to be fearful of clocked cars. Also high on the list of concerns is the safety risks dealers expose customers to by selling on a clocked car. Interestingly, the threat of a judicial sentence is a relatively low concern by comparison, despite the fact that selling on a vehicle that has a wrong mileage reading would be a ‘false trade description’ and therefore could constitute a criminal offence. A false trade description or a failure to comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, is a breach of the law.