A Toyota Avensis has raised questions after documents obtained by the website Dodgy Cars suggested it appeared to lose more than 100,000 miles in just over a year.
The apparent mileage drop coincided with the vehicle gaining nearly £5,000 in estimated value – could you be driving a clocked car?
When the car was later listed for sale in last year, it had 63,335 miles on the clock and was advertised for £8,695 by an AA approved dealer.
Documents show the car recorded 159,553 miles in 2021, when its retail value was listed at £6,920. By 2022, the recorded mileage had fallen to just over 53,000 miles, with an estimated retail value of £11,795.
In effect, more than 100,000 miles appeared to vanish, while the vehicle became significantly more valuable, despite being older.
The Avensis had previously been registered as a licensed taxi, a role that typically results in very high mileage over a short period.
However, motoring experts say there is no legitimate explanation for a vehicle to lose such a large amount of mileage between annual records.
Mileage plays a major role in how used cars are priced. Lower figures can make vehicles appear newer and more desirable, potentially masking wear and tear on major components such as brakes, suspension and engines.
An AA Cars spokesperson said all vehicles advertised on its platform undergo a vehicle history check provided by Experian, using mileage data supplied by the DVSA alongside salvage information from secondary sources.
They said that for this particular vehicle, no mileage discrepancies were flagged during those checks.
The spokesperson added that situations like this can occur when a vehicle has previously been salvaged but the insurance provider has not correctly recorded this with the DVLA.
In such cases, they said, it is unlikely that a dealer would have been aware of the issue when purchasing the vehicle.
AA Cars confirmed it had discussed the vehicle with the dealership, which said it was not aware of the information at the time of purchase and that the car is no longer for sale.
Drivers are urged not to rely solely on the mileage shown on the dashboard. MOT history can be checked online using a vehicle’s registration number and shows the mileage recorded at each annual test. Any sudden drops or inconsistencies between tests should raise questions.
Service records and invoices can also help build a clearer picture of a car’s history. Missing paperwork or documents showing higher mileages than the odometer may indicate a problem.
Physical signs can offer further clues. Worn pedals, seats or steering wheels that do not match the mileage shown can suggest a vehicle has covered far more miles than it appears.
Buyers are also warned to be cautious of prices that seem unusually low for a car’s age and condition.
Dealer Compact Cars and Vans declined to comment.