Serious used car fraud has led the Office of Fair Trading warning customers. The second hand car fraud problem extends beyond private sales into the second hand car dealership . Problems with second hand cars are coming to light after the buyers take ownership, so understanding ways in which the used car market can be risky could help to prepare for every eventuality.

Car clocking means removing mileage from the odometer, increasing the value of the vehicle . Wear and tear should reveal the age of a car, but documents are the only real proof. MOT certificates and a full service history are good guarantees of mileage. Sometimes used cars have been involved in accidents or are written-off, but have been cosmetically repaired. Car cloning, vehicle identity theft, is also a common issue. Professional inspections can help avoid this.

Used car dealers should be members of the Retail Motor Industry Federation, demanding certain standards. Cars should also have passed an RAC or AA check. Buying from a franchised dealer gives you legal protection and even car supermarkets should offer better protection if something goes wrong. Always check car paperwork and most importantly give the vehicle itself a thorough check.