Why are mileage checks important? We expect that later this year the average age of Irish cars will hit 8 years. Using the back of an envelope we can calculate that the average mileage for Irish cars is in the region of 75,000-115,000 miles depending on fuel type/cc etc. With a shortage of good quality second hand cars, and bigger numbers on odometers, clockers can more easily shave 10,000 or even 20,000 miles without raising too much suspicion. As every to reduce the chances of buying a clocked car, always check service history, be suspicious of below average mileage, persons wanting a quick sale at a low price, and always carry out a car history check.

Top Mileage by Make in the National Mileage Register

Here is a list of the most represented vehicle manufacturers in the National Mileage Register including a count of the number of mileage readings we hold for each.

• Ford  -  704,633
• Volkswagen  -  569,295
• Toyota  -  538,131
• BMW  -  439,990
• Nissan  -  353,676
• Opel  -  348,292
• Renault  -  305,970
• Peugeot  –   266,919
• Audi  -  243,637
• Hyundai  –   148,722

The top ten NMR list has a good correlation with fleet frequencies for each manufacturer.

NMR Mileage is obtained from a wide variety of sources, and we continue to gather mileage from as many places as possible to get the most complete record of mileage possible in Ireland.

Average Mileage In Ireland 2012

Tempus Fugit so we thought it high time to update our earlier statistical article for the average mileage in Ireland by fuel type. For this post we collated readings submitted from vehicles from Jan 1st to February 20th 2012.

Here is our data in tabular format:

As always this sort of data is best viewed visually:

Discussion

Compared to our previous article we can see that in 2012 petrol cars have averaged 9,470 miles per year, significantly lower (-761 miles) than our 2010 result of 10,232 miles. Diesel cars in 2012 have averaged 13,190 miles per year, also significantly less (-419 miles) than our 2010 figure of 13,610 miles***

The 2010 and 2012 figures for petrol cars compares quite favourably with SEI figures (9,923), however, yet again we see that the figures for diesel vehicles are much lower than SEI would predict (14,799). Our previous post indicated that post 2008 diesel car data is reducing the average diesel mileage per year, this process is still in effect, this can be shown graphically:

The trend for motorists to choose diesel cars over petrol cars for taxation reasons has somewhat explained the lowering of average diesel mileage, however, it would not explain the lower average petrol figures.  We could suggest several reasons for the observed lowering of average mileage, but there is one factor that we might all agree on.

The ongoing recession certainly has changed our attitudes to motoring, its very possible that we are simply driving less for financial reasons……Pecuniae obediunt omnia.

Statistical Notes

*The data presented here derives from a snapshot of car mileage data derived primarily from privately taxed vehicles and is only valid for the period of Feb 2012.

**Before 2005 only a minority of Irish vehicles displayed their odometers in kilometers, thus producing a much smaller sample. In the interests of statistical consistency this data has been omitted.

***For simplicity we assumed that most Irish vehicles are initially registered from Jan-March and that readings taken in Jan/Feb 2012 represent an incremental years worth of mileage. Any variance in results due to this assumption should decrease as vehicles get older.

This is not particularily interesting, however, it has pushed us over the six million mileage readings milestone, with a total of 6,015,791 NMR records as of 25th January 2012 10:45.

More Data

We are pleased to announce that we have just integrated a new source of mileage that should see us receiving a minimum of 300,000 mileage readings from the trade annually. Not only will this accelerate the growth of the NMR, but it will also broaden our visibility of the fleet. Multiple sources of data provide greater confidence in our investigations when reliant systems uncover a case of suspected clocking.

Good news for the National Mileage Register, we have just secured a significant new mileage source, and this source should begin to contribute valuable mileage data in early 2011.

Happy Christmas

The NMR Team

In the news

Recent articles have appeared in the media on the topic of clocking and several articles have used our very own NMR statistics. Here are some links that may prove informative.

Sunday Independent 13/11/2011

AA Ireland 26/10/2011

Cartell.ie  13/11/2011

Clocking Voids Vehicle Warranty

It is generally accepted that modifying a vehicle (which includes tampering with odometer) may invalidate the manufacturer warranty. As part of our drive to educate car buyers on the pitfalls of buying a clocked car we decided to research the implications of presenting a clocked car for warranty work. We identified some of the main manufacturers that impose a mileage limit on their warranty and contacted them via email. These were Fiat, VW Group, Ford, Nissan,Toyota,Honda,Hyundai,Mazda,Suzuki and Volvo.

We didn’t expect a speedy response to our query, however, Nissan were the first to respond.

Thank you for your email. Please see attached page 5, point 2.8, point 6 of Nissan’s Warranty Booklet and Maintenance Record outlining Nissan’s position regarding altered odometers.

Kind Regards,
Customer Service Department
Nissan Ireland

Page 5, 2.8 WHAT IS NOT COVERED

6. Any vehicle on which the mileometer has been altered or replaced so that the reading does not correspond with the actual mileage of the vehicle without official registration on the Warranty Certificate (inside front cover of this booklet), or on which the Vehicle Identification Number and/or Engine Number have been altered or removed.

Well done to Nissan on excellent customer service!

Update 01/09/2011

Volkswagen Group Ireland responded with a very clear policy on tampered odometers.

We would like to advise that if the odometer has been tampered with to alter the mileage reading this would void the warranty even though our manufacturer’s warranty is without mileage limitation.  We instruct our authorised retailer network to report such instances to the relevant authorities and ourselves.

If there are any safety campaigns that need to be carried out these will be completed as the safety of our customers is of the utmost importance.

Many thanks to the Volkswagen group for a comprehensive response to our queries.

Second Update 02/09/2011

Volvo Car Ireland have furnished us with a detailed response to our questionnaire.

If the odometer is discovered to have been unlawfully tampered with, the warranty on the vehicle becomes void, however we do not ignore a concern with the car and we will try to help the customer.  Notwithstanding this, recall actions relevant to the vehicle will be carried out at Volvo’s expense.

Volvo added that even for tampered vehicles, Volvo would bear costs for warranty work that affected the safety of a vehicle, however, “Other work will be carried out at the expense of the customer“. In the interests of providing a comprehensive customer service to their customers they did say that “This is Volvo’s policy, but the national sales company are authorised to accept any possible repair cost on a goodwill basis”

Many thanks to the Volvo Aftersales department.

Third Update 02/09/2011

Fiat / Alfa Romeo have kindly responded, I have included some of the questions to give context to their answers.

Q: If the odometer is discovered to have been tampered with when a vehicle is presented for warranty work, do you ignore or research the issue?

The days of physical ‘odometer tampering’ are largely over as most cars have digital odometers these days. Therefore, if someone has changed the odometer reading it is not obvious unless there is a previous record of mileage which throws up a discrepancy. In this eventuality, the case would be automatically be investigated prior to the processing/acceptance/payment of any claim.

Q: If odometer tampering is discovered but actual mileage is within warranty what would you do?

We always endeavour to find out why there’s a discrepancy in mileage readings. It can often be caused by simple human error – a mistake made by someone keeping records in a dealership or the owner themselves inputting the incorrect mileage details, for example. We endeavour to correct these errors to avoid future discrepancies. Under our initial manufacturer warranty there is no mileage limitation so there is actually no benefit to altering the odometer reading – it would only serve to cause delays in claim processing. However, if no reasonable explanation can be found we would be force to reject the claim altogether and notify the owner that their warranty has been voided.

Q: If the odometer reading has been altered to bring a vehicle back within the warranty terms any such claim would be declined?

If we have conclusive proof that the odometer reading has been altered to bring a vehicle back within the warranty terms any such claim would be automatically declined.

Many thanks to the Fiat Group for their contribution.

More manufacturer responses as we receive them……

Money saving tips

As ever, when buying a second hand car, carry out a mileage check and always ask for service history. If an up to date service book is not available assume that the vehicle has not been maintained correctly, and reduce your offer price accordingly.

If a car dealer has a Cartell sticker in the window, ask him to give you a full Cartell.ie Trade report (including mileage check). He should be happy to give you a copy free of charge.

To assist cash strapped motorists, Cartell.ie have recently reduced their prices for car checks on vehicles that are 8 years and older, a mileage check on the NMR has never been cheaper.