The European Parliament has announced its plan to ban companies that offer mileage correction by May of 2018. Whether you believe it or not, companies that offer to clock your mileage meter are considered legal here in Europe so far.

Until this decision, mileage correction was considered illegal only if the clocked used car was sold and the buyer wasn’t informed about it. UK’s Vehicle history check expert HPI says that one in 20 vehicles checked by them has a mileage discrepancy, highlighting the significance of the problem. With the EU’s ban on the mileage correction companies the phenomenon is expected to be reduced.

“We welcome this new legislation, which can’t come too soon,” says Neil Hodson, Managing Director for HPI. “HPI has been a committed campaigner against clocking and the exploitation of this loophole, so we applaud the EU decision. Unwittingly part exchanging a clocked vehicle is a legitimate threat for used car dealers. The tools to adjust mileages are easily available on the web, meaning that consumers are just as likely to be clocking cars as unscrupulous traders. This doubles the danger for dealers, who stand to lose their reputation and even face hefty fines and prosecution.

“Of course, the new rules won’t end all instances of clocking, but it removes the firms that hide behind the label of legitimacy to help dishonest sellers adjust their mileage to make a fast profit.”

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