News this week announces the first ever conviction of an owner of a mileage correction firm following a recent OFT investigation. This dramatic development follows the recent steps by the vehicle information expert HPI, to lobby parliament to shut down such firms, by launching an e-petition and calling upon the nation to back the fight against mileage correction firms.
The Swindon-based owner of the ‘Mileage Correction Firm’, Michael Ogle, was jailed for 9 months. This is the first time a provider of mileage correction services rather than a provider of clocked vehicles has been jailed.
Nicola Johnson, Consumer Services Manager for HPI, comments,

“It is fantastic to see decisive action against the owners of these firms, who until now have acted without seeing any consequences, all the while costing used car buyers thousands. But we still need more action and this is where we need you, the public, to get behind us and make your voice heard. We cannot stamp out these companies on our own, and remove what would appear to be a legitimate form of fraud trading within the UK. We need your help, so spread the word and get friends and family to sign the petition today!”

The OFT investigated mileage correction firms as part of an extensive investigation into the used car market in 2010. As a result, they estimated the potential loss to consumers from the purchase of vehicles with a false mileage is around £580million per year, demonstrating how serious the problem is. The OFT found that legitimate reasons for mileage adjustment were extremely rare, and at the time of their investigation there were over 50 websites advertising mileage correction services, which has now increased to 71.
Ali Nikpay, Senior Director at the OFT, commented on the case,

“Thousands of consumers are paying over the odds for cars that have had their mileage illegally tampered with. This landmark prosecution sends a clear message out to those adjusting car mileages that they face prison if they break the law. We will be working closely with our enforcement partners to raise standards across the sector and ensure that appropriate action is taken where mileage correction businesses break the law.”

“As the OFT has confirmed – car clocking is not a victimless crime,” concludes Johnson. “We must not be complacent in allowing companies with only a tenuous excuse for their existence, offering a service that ultimately costs consumers, to continue trading. The first blow has now been struck – join us to build on this by visiting hpicheck.com and signing our petition. We can’t do this without your support, so sign now.”
Sign HPI’s e-Petition NOW to Force Parliament to Clampdown on Mileage Fraudsters