Car clocking — rolling back the odometer to show fewer kilometres — is one of the most common frauds in the Irish used car market. Despite being illegal under the Consumer Rights Act 2022, it’s still rampant because enforcement is weak and the tools to do it cost less than €50 online.
We track 280,000+ car listings across every major Irish marketplace. When a car is listed multiple times over months or years, we record the mileage each time. That’s how we catch clocking — and it’s surprisingly common.
How Common Is Car Clocking in Ireland?
Our data suggests that approximately 1 in 10 used cars sold in Ireland has some form of mileage discrepancy. This doesn’t always mean deliberate fraud — sometimes it’s a data entry error — but it’s a massive red flag that demands investigation.
How to Check if a Car Has Been Clocked
1. Run a Motorly Vehicle Check (Free)
Our free vehicle check tracks mileage across all Irish car marketplaces over time. If a car was listed at 120,000 km in 2024 and is now being sold at 80,000 km, we’ll flag it.
2. Check the NCT History
Every NCT test records the car’s mileage. If the NCT disc shows 95,000 km and the seller claims 70,000 km, the car has been clocked. The NCT disc is usually on the windscreen. You can also request a history from the NCTS.
3. Check Service History
A genuine service book with stamps from main dealers or reputable garages should show mileage increasing over time. Gaps in service history are suspicious.
4. Physical Inspection
- Steering wheel: Heavy wear on a “low mileage” car is a dead giveaway
- Pedal rubbers: Smooth, worn pedals don’t match 40,000 km
- Driver’s seat bolster: The side of the seat where you get in and out wears with use
- Dashboard cluster: Check for scratch marks around the mileage display — signs of removal
5. Cross-Reference the Reg Number
Search for the car’s registration on Motorly, DoneDeal, Carzone, and CarsIreland. If it’s been listed before with different mileage, you have your answer. Our history check does this automatically.
What to Do if You’ve Bought a Clocked Car
- From a dealer: You’re protected under the Consumer Rights Act 2022. Contact the dealer in writing, demand a refund. If they refuse, file with the CCPC or Small Claims Court.
- From a private seller: Much harder. You can report to the Gardaí (it’s a criminal offence), but recovering your money may require civil action.
- Document everything: Keep screenshots of the listing, the NCT history, and any communications with the seller.
How Motorly Fights Clocking
We’re building the most comprehensive mileage tracking system in Ireland. Every time a car is listed on any marketplace, we record the mileage. Over time, this creates a mileage timeline that makes clocking visible.
Check any car for free — it takes 10 seconds and could save you thousands.