MOT (Ministry of Transport) accuracy in recording results during testing is one of the most critical factors in maintaining the vehicle’s credibility and value. This would raise several questions about the car’s history. This could discourage potential buyers. It could also have an impact on your resale value. This report examines the resulting defects, the steps to correct them, the barriers owners face in completing these steps, and the impact on vehicle sales.
How Incorrect MOT Mileage Records Occur and Their Impact on Vehicle Trustworthiness
Ways in which incorrect MOT mileage records can occur include errors caused by clerical errors in data entry and misinterpretation of actual vehicle mileage. This example was of a car whose 2021 MOT had failed due to tire issues. Seventy-eight thousand one hundred sixty-six miles was incorrectly reported. The correct mileage of 28,167 miles had been stated during a subsequent pass, but it didn’t pass without leaving suspicion about the car’s past.
When it comes to the credibility of a vehicle, this type of discrepancy can cause severe damage. Potential buyers noticing such anomalies in the MOT history may suspect odometer tampering or misconduct, leading them to abandon their purchase intentions. Accurate records are vital because they play an essential part in influencing a vehicle’s confidence and market value to buyers as it indicates everything about its history.
Where Vehicle Owners Can Turn for Help: Correcting MOT Mileage Mistakes
Getting an error in the MOT mileage corrected is a challenging thing to do. It would have to be the car’s owner who would have to do the pleading with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). However, in the discussion, there may be a bit of favoritism in the case of mistakes that were made a short time ago. Correcting an MOT error made a few years ago is quite tricky. You need strong evidence to prove that it was a mistake.
Some of the evidence available could be that of service records, dealer records, or other documents that show consistency with the miles the vehicle has traveled. However, the DVSA’s criteria for changing MOT records are strict. This is especially true for bugs that are not recent. This is necessary to maintain the integrity of the MOT system. Still, it can be very frustrating when the vehicle owner is caught in this rather bizarre position of having to prove an apparent clerical error. What impact is made if there is a MOT mileage discrepancy on the sale and the experience for new vehicle owners? As a result, a disparity in MOT mileage can profoundly affect a vehicle’s sales process. As observed during the discussion, buyers may cancel viewings or negotiations once they encounter mileage discrepancies, fearing that the discrepancy may result in a dubious history. It is only natural for the buyer to be as skeptical as possible since an accurate mileage reading is essential to know how much wear and tear a vehicle has undergone and what its dollar value should be. For sellers, this can be very frustrating. Here is a good example – a car with a good history of low mileage, supported by a service history and a consistent MOT history, except for one inaccurate entry. Yet these fundamental realities are often overshadowed by the stigma of raising the possibility of mileage fraud, making the sales process unnecessarily more torturous than it should be.
FAQs
Where can I find the procedure for correcting an MOT error?
Usually, the process for rectifying an MOT fault is available on the official UK government website under the MOT section or can be accessed by contacting the DVSA for advice. Evidence could be service records, dealer records, or anything that would reflect the vehicle’s mileage over time, such as evidence for the difference noted on the MOT record.
When should I contact the DVSA for an alteration over a mistake in a mileage reading?
In case of an error, you need to contact the DVSA immediately. Past fixes are complex.
Can an incorrect MOT mileage affect the sale of a vehicle?
An incorrect odometer reading on a vehicle’s registration casts suspicion on the vehicle’s history. It deters potential buyers, thus affecting the resale value of the car due to possible odometer tampering.
What should we do if the DVSA does not change the MOT Mileage on the certificate?
If the DVSA does not agree to change the MOT record, ensure you have all the necessary hard evidence to support your case or consider taking professional legal advice.