odometer reset

[Pete Ansell]

Hi, I just bought a 2006 Alphard Hybrid, and have quickly realised that the odometer reading is stuck (it hasn't changed since I bought it), even though the Trip A and Trip B readings work just fine. Someone told me that changing the Odometer from its Japanese km setting to British miles setting can cause problems, so maybe the answer is to reset it to kilometers. Any ideas about how I might be able to fix this problem would be greatly appreciated.

[Liz Coles]

I have a 2006 hybrid that is also stuck at 82033.  Have you the Japanese sales sheet?  Was the odometer reading the same then? I bought my copy and found the car had been turned back!  I wonder if they broke it turning it back?   Should have been a higher reading.

[Rojie]

I believe that if you use a 'chip' to convert the km reading to miles there is an opportunity to 'clock' (reduce) the reading.

 

It is important to review the auction sheet prior to purchase, as that certificate states the kilometres travelled prior to export.

There is, of course, additional travel after export; potentially from UK dock delivery to wherever (although many are trucked); and this should be considered.

 

My Alphie was clocked but, fortunately, only by a small amount. 

 

Potential buyers should be aware there are 'Specialist Alphard Dealers' and 'Dealers who deal in Alphards'

Generally, there is a difference in quality and service provided by each of these categories.

 

Having a new 'chip' fitted (at any time) is an option for Peter and Liz; assuming there is no other cause.

This could be an inexpensive repair solution that any reputable Specialist Alphard Dealer could perform for you.

 

To be clear, absolutely clear, I am not suggesting, or promoting, 'clocking'.

 

 

 

[Liz Coles]

I bought my Alphard in April from an ‘importing dealer’ in Birmingham.  Had problems getting home with the inverter.  He suddenly wasn’t an importer but would help if it needed work.  It needed a reconditioned inverter, cooling pump and new 12v battery.  It’s now having the hybrid battery balanced.  It has been off the road since we arrived home in April.  I bought a copy of the cx report and found the odometer was way wrong and stuck.  I found out that providing you are told, it is allowed to turn the odometer back! 
I am hoping my car will be running in the next week or so.

[Rojie]

4 hours ago, Liz Coles said:

I bought my Alphard in April from an ‘importing dealer’ in Birmingham.  Had problems getting home with the inverter.  He suddenly wasn’t an importer but would help if it needed work.  It needed a reconditioned inverter, cooling pump and new 12v battery.  It’s now having the hybrid battery balanced.  It has been off the road since we arrived home in April.  I bought a copy of the cx report and found the odometer was way wrong and stuck.  I found out that providing you are told, it is allowed to turn the odometer back! 
I am hoping my car will be running in the next week or so.

 

I am no expert, but I think the DVLA would disagree.

However, if the odometer were faulty .....

[Liz Coles]

I received the information from DVSA after writing to them about it!…….. as follows
“
There are legitimate reasons why an odometer could record a lower mileage than previously. It does not necessarily follow that a lower mileage means a vehicle has been 'clocked'. If the speedometer (which is a legal requirement) is replaced the odometer part of it can quite legitimately show "zero" if it is new or whatever mileage was on it when removed if it is a second hand part. An offence may be committed however if that mileage recording is knowingly misrepresented to a potential purchaser as the vehicle's true mileage.  That would be a matter for Trading Standards to take forward.  

Since the introduction of MOT computerisation in 2005 the database has been steadily building, recording the mileage recordings at each annual test. It is access to this data that allows DVSA and the MOT scheme to play a part in combatting mileage fraud. By accessing the vehicle's MOT test history you can establish an obvious anomaly with the odometer reading on a car. Being in possession of this knowledge allows any potential purchaser to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase. If the purchase went ahead on the basis of the lower mileage being misrepresented as true, then that would be illegal.

 

The MOT computer system cannot be programmed to prevent the issue of a certificate if a lower mileage is recorded, as this could easily be legal and there are no lawful powers to refuse a certificate in these circumstances.

 

By making mileage data publicly available DVSA has given consumers the ability to challenge vendors and negotiate a better deal, or to report wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities.“

[Pete Ansell]

So it looks like I need a specialist Alphard dealer to sort out the Odometer. Any suggestions (I live in Lancaster)?

 

[Rojie]

On 12/11/2022 at 2:30 PM, Liz Coles said:

I received the information from DVSA after writing to them about it!…….. as follows
“
There are legitimate reasons why an odometer could record a lower mileage than previously. It does not necessarily follow that a lower mileage means a vehicle has been 'clocked'. If the speedometer (which is a legal requirement) is replaced the odometer part of it can quite legitimately show "zero" if it is new or whatever mileage was on it when removed if it is a second hand part. An offence may be committed however if that mileage recording is knowingly misrepresented to a potential purchaser as the vehicle's true mileage.  That would be a matter for Trading Standards to take forward.  

Since the introduction of MOT computerisation in 2005 the database has been steadily building, recording the mileage recordings at each annual test. It is access to this data that allows DVSA and the MOT scheme to play a part in combatting mileage fraud. By accessing the vehicle's MOT test history you can establish an obvious anomaly with the odometer reading on a car. Being in possession of this knowledge allows any potential purchaser to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the purchase. If the purchase went ahead on the basis of the lower mileage being misrepresented as true, then that would be illegal.

 

The MOT computer system cannot be programmed to prevent the issue of a certificate if a lower mileage is recorded, as this could easily be legal and there are no lawful powers to refuse a certificate in these circumstances.

 

By making mileage data publicly available DVSA has given consumers the ability to challenge vendors and negotiate a better deal, or to report wrongdoing to the appropriate authorities.“

 

Thank you Liz for the clarification.