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Hidden Dangers When Buying a Used Car: Clocking, Cloning, Ringing and Cut & Shut Explained

Analogue speedometer showing mileage counter

What should you be looking out for when buying a used car? There are various practices that unscrupulous sellers can use to make more money or hide criminal activity. Car clocking, cloning, ringing and ‘cut and shuts’ are the main pitfalls to watch out for.

Car clocking is when a vehicle’s odometer is tampered with, so that the mileage shown on the dashboard is lower than its actual mileage. The clock has literally been turned back. Sellers can make thousands more from a car with a significantly reduced mileage, and there are companies that openly advertise clocking services. Modern cars have digital odometers, but they can still be hacked into from a computer and adjusted. As well as costing you more than it should have done, buying a clocked car can be dangerous, as parts are more worn on an older car, and you are more likely to have an accident.

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Dos and don’ts of getting rid of your old car

End-of-life vehicle waiting to be scrapped due to wear and tear

There comes a time in the life of any vehicle when it’s no longer safe or practical to use. What’s more, if you continue to drive an older car that’s not roadworthy, you could incur a hefty fine and some unnecessary points on your driving licence.

For thousands of drivers who have owned just a single vehicle for many years, they may have no idea how or when to get rid of a car. Nearly 1.5 million vehicles are scrapped in the UK each year, so it’s by no means a niche industry anymore.

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Can I sell my car without the log book?

Sample V5C log book

Yes, you can sell a car without a log book, or V5C document. But it will be harder to do so without proof of ownership, and you might have to lower the price. It is easy to apply for a replacement log book, and reassure anyone buying the car that you are the registered owner.

If you are planning on selling your car, but you’ve realised you don’t have your log book, you might be concerned that it’s not possible to transfer ownership of your vehicle without it.

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The best small cars to buy second-hand

2011 Ford Fiesta 1560cc Econetic TDCI recently at auction

Small cars represent around 40% of the UK passenger car market, but how much does a great small car cost?

If you’re interested in the best small car to buy second-hand in the UK under £10,000, you’ve come to the right place. The cars in our list rank best for features like fuel economy, running costs and build quality. With a budget of £10,000 you will be looking at cars at least 4 or 5 years old, some with high mileages. But they can still be worth the money.

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Is it time to sell my Mini?

2006 Mini Hatch 1598cc Cooper S recently at auction

The Mini is one of Britain’s best loved cars, with over 60 years of heritage. Whether yours is a classic original Mini Clubman or new generation MINI made by BMW, they are difficult cars to part with.

Yet keeping a Mini on the road can be challenging. If you find your Mini needs regular repairs and has a long service history, perhaps selling your Mini is the best option.

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