Ford Focus Mk2 - Clocking - Any One?

[S1600white]

Hello all

Looking at focus st mk2, facelift 08 onwards. Is this shape of focus easy to clock? Are there any reports of clocking people have seen?

I know you can check miles through mot database but still doesnt stop changing clocks before mots.

Thanks in advance

[salsheikh]

as the clocks are digital it can be done but if the mot's match then i'd be happy with that.

[Micro]

I don't know about you, but unless you're just looking to buy a car and want to know if it may be clocked then this is not the site for your discussion.

Changing the apparent mileage of a car is illegal and deceptive to everyone involved, and opens you to a whole world of legal implications.

Even with a new engine, the mileage won't match but anyone reasonable shouldn't care that the displayed mileage is different to the engines mileage.

[alexp999]

I think Luke is asking if it is something he should be mindful of.

Not how to do it, but how easy can it be done, is he likely to find many used cars that have been clocked.

[S1600white]

Correct, im looking at buying a focus st with low miles for year 26k 09 plate. If someone knows an mot station they can just adapt history. What im asking is if any one knows if its easy to do and if people do it?

[Micro]

Correct, im looking at buying a focus st with low miles for year 26k 09 plate. If someone knows an mot station they can just adapt history. What im asking is if any one knows if its easy to do and if people do it?

Can you change previous readings? My previous car had an erroneous reading which I was told could not be changed (but the next reading was correct) - you can look this history up on the net to check over the years.

[Stoney871]

You can roll Ford digital odometers forward (in the case of having to replace a broken one and the mileage needs setting) but they can't be rolled back.

[S1600white]

You can look at miles from mot certificates. Search dvla mileage check on google, put in the info and it will tell you all info from mots since 2005 when it started online.

Stoney871, can you put in new clocks of lower miles and that will work though, asin could be 80k but then just buys new display unit or similar on say 25k miles and put that in?

[Stoney871]

Stoney871, can you put in new clocks of lower miles and that will work though, asin could be 80k but then just buys new display unit or similar on say 25k miles and put that in?

You can but as the dash module forms part of the immobiliser system it needs programming with IDS.

As you say though, an MOT check will show mileage records so is definitely a worthy route to take.

I would also recommend checking the service record booklet if available.

[S1600white]

Pok. Looking on google it looks like it is possible to buy units to act as IDS so if somebody wanted to they could spend £200 on a unit and make the car worth a lot more... Even easier if they are the first owner.

service book shows as full service history.

[Stoney871]

Simple answer - if it looks too good to be true and you can't verify mileage then walk away.

[simcor]

There are multitudes of companies offering mileage correction services since the digital mileometer was made that can do just about almost every car known to man these days so yes it is possible, it is however as stated illegal to roll the speedo back, however the legalities of correcting the mileage are ambiguous, as long as the mileage is not being misrepresented then changing the stored mileage is not illegal. For example if you bought a replacement set of clocks showing higher mileage and have them adjusted to the mileage you car has actually done, then it is not misrepresentation but it should be made clear the clocks have been altered if you sell the vehicle. This is why second hand card always carry a sticker saying the mileage cannot be verified.

[mjt]

You can roll Ford digital odometers forward (in the case of having to replace a broken one and the mileage needs setting) but they can't be rolled back.

That's interesting to know. The cluster on our Mk1.5 was replaced under warranty just after we bought it so it now reads about 52,000 miles less than the true value. That was about 7 years ago. I asked at the time whether the new cluster could be updated to reflect the true mileage but was told they didn't have the equipment to do it. I've noted the change in the service record book and stuck a label on the instrument panel surround but I'd really like to get it corrected as we now want to sell it on and I fear some unscrupulous dealer might try to pass it off with the indicated mileage. The only thing that worries me is that the DVLA MOT records will show these changes and I wonder if a HPI check might then flag up a warning.

[Dee_82]

theres no practical reason why it can't be made to go forward or backwards, in fact ELM config allows you to move it forward, moving backward to correct an incorrect cluster should also be possible but is rightly not made easy or openly talked about for obvious reasons.

[Stoney871]

That's interesting to know. The cluster on our Mk1.5 was replaced under warranty just after we bought it so it now reads about 52,000 miles less than the true value. That was about 7 years ago. I asked at the time whether the new cluster could be updated to reflect the true mileage but was told they didn't have the equipment to do it. I've noted the change in the service record book and stuck a label on the instrument panel surround but I'd really like to get it corrected as we now want to sell it on and I fear some unscrupulous dealer might try to pass it off with the indicated mileage. The only thing that worries me is that the DVLA MOT records will show these changes and I wonder if a HPI check might then flag up a warning.

As long as DVLA is aware of the cluster change and true mileage then you are covered.

If a Dealer then proceeds to try capitalising on this then they will be prosecuted as if they have 'clocked' the car.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/consumer-news/88547/car-clocking-is-mileage-correction-legal#

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/64915/car-dealer-admits-clocking-offences