Irish MEP calls on EU to tackle mileage fraud as system 'failing' buyers of second-hand cars
Mileage fraud falsely inflates the value of older cars, scamming buyers into paying more for a vehicle.
Europe must act to tackle the scourge of mileage fraud in second-hand cars, as buyers are not protected, an Irish MEP has said.
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said the practice of mileage fraud, also known as car clocking, was estimated to affect up to 50% of second-hand cars bought and sold in the EU.
Mileage fraud falsely inflates the value of older cars, scamming buyers into paying more for a vehicle and also has an impact on road safety and the environment as it increases the number of older, less environmentally-friendly cars being passed off as being newer, she said.
The Ireland South MEP is calling for a pan-European mileage database, similar to Belgium's car pass system, to be established to deal with the widespread issue.
"People are not mechanics. They buy a car to get from A to B in good faith and they trust in the system to protect them. Right now, it is failing them across Europe and we need to fix that," said Ms Ní Mhurchú.
An EU report by the transport committee estimates the economic impact of mileage fraud on the EU is in the region of between €6bn and €9bn.
However, this type of fraud is only a criminal offence in six EU member states, including Ireland. Ms Ní Mhurchú wants to see mileage fraud become a criminal offence across the EU and said legislators would work with car manufacturers to make car clocking more difficult to do. Currently, there are devices that can do the job in a matter of minutes.
Speaking in terms of road safety, Ms Ní Mhurchú pointed out cars had scheduled maintenance based on their mileage.
"If the mileage is wrong — then the maintenance will be wrong, leading to a situation where brake pads may be worn, engines may not be correctly serviced, all of which impacts on safety on our roads in Ireland."
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