Purchased a CPO Benz with a Mileage Blocker Installed

[swils8610]

This is the first I’ve heard about “clocking” cars in years and it’s the business I’m in. Dealership business...not clocking cars biz lol. Cars have become high tech computers. Where there’s a will there’s a way sadly.

[imperio]

Originally Posted by Burlington

You’re not alone. Gone are the days of cars being clocked with a drill winding the odometer back. This is high tech stuff !!

Wonder just how wide spread this practice is.

Mr Wormwood in 'Matilda' by Roald Dahl does this AFAIK, not sure about anyone else IRL

[m j b]

Originally Posted by RoyalOac

...opted for the full refund

Great to hear that it worked out for you! Still, a real kick to the kidneys to discover that you've been "taken" and stress until it's resolved.

I didn't realize that this technology existed, but it certainly doesn't surprise me and I can see folks who are running up against their lease limits or warranty limits doing something like this. The last used car I bought (a CPO BMW) had a reasonable mileage history, so I don't think anything like that was done, but I certainly will be aware of it in the future!

[Brew]

I learned a ton from this thread. Thanks OP and all you knowledgeable members. Glad this worked out as it apparently should have, given the circumstances.

[RW16610]

I'm glad to hear you were able to get a full refund and will now be able to put this debacle behind you

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by imperio

Really? So in a situation where the contacted residual is say $40k but the car is now only worth $35k... The dealership that the car gets turned in to has to eat that $5k loss? That really sucks for the final dealership that gets this vehicle or any other vehicles in this situation.

I'm thinking a leased vehicle that has been involved in an accident or two during the course of the lease term would be worth less than residual... Can't be that uncommon a scenario hmmm

The dealership could very well get hung on this one. And you are correct...accidents and such def hurt the value. The dealership doesn’t own the car the leasing company or bank does. The dealer doesn’t have to buy it at all. They can have the leasing company/bank come pick it up. In this situation I would try like hell to get the leasing company/bank to take this car back.

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by Time4aRolex

This one is pretty simple. The car was CPO. As long as the purchaser didn’t install the mileage blocker, this one is on the dealer. They certified the car. If the Dealer wants to go after their purchase source that is their prerogative.

That is quite incorrect. The CPO has nothing to do with it. It’s irrelevant in this situation. A TMU car can’t be certified. MB would kick back the CPO. Just because a car is sold CPO doesn’t mean anything. To CPO a car the dealership has to go through a checklist and pay a fee. That’s it. The issue here is who is going to get hung with a TMU car. The dealer or the leasing company/Bank.

[swils8610]

It would be nearly impossible to go after the driver of the car. This is also a very rare and unusual situation. The dealership knows it’s TMU. Period. The dealership should contact the leasing company/bank and try to get them to take the car back. If they do take it back it will go to auction and TMU must be disclosed. It will sell for 50% of its value if they are lucky. They take the hit and move on. They don’t care. Trust me. If the leasing company/bank won’t take it back the dealer will be hung with the car and must disclose its TMU. Again, it’s with 50% if they are lucky. It’s going to cost someone a lot of money.

[swils8610]

The dealership did the right thing and took care of the OP. That’s the most important thing. Now it’s a battle to see if the leasing company/bank will take it back or the dealership getting hung with it.

[Time4aRolex]

Originally Posted by swils8610

That is quite incorrect. The CPO has nothing to do with it. It’s irrelevant in this situation. A TMU car can’t be certified. MB would kick back the CPO. Just because a car is sold CPO doesn’t mean anything. To CPO a car the dealership has to go through a checklist and pay a fee. That’s it. The issue here is who is going to get hung with a TMU car. The dealer or the leasing company/Bank.

The point I was making is not who was stuck with the car. It was the fact that the buyer does not own the problem.

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by Time4aRolex

The point I was making is not who was stuck with the car. It was the fact that the buyer does not own the problem.

Much agreed! The MB dealership did the right thing. This is a very unique and odd situation...I’m glad the OP was taken care. I’m curious as to how or who will wind up with the the car. The title should be branded as TMU. I’m curious as to what the current Carfax report says. Cheers...

[BrazenC5]

Originally Posted by swils8610

That is quite incorrect. The CPO has nothing to do with it. It’s irrelevant in this situation. A TMU car can’t be certified. MB would kick back the CPO. Just because a car is sold CPO doesn’t mean anything. To CPO a car the dealership has to go through a checklist and pay a fee. That’s it. The issue here is who is going to get hung with a TMU car. The dealer or the leasing company/Bank.

There is a lot of discussion around TMU, but in this particular case isn't the total mileage actually known now that the blocker is removed...the total mileage is just 7k higher. In this particular case the dealer can now resell as CPO with the correct stated mileage, correct?

If they wanted they could hold for a few months as a dealer car if the jump in documented mileage is questioned, correct?


Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[swils8610]

What’s to say the mileage blocker was used multiple times before? Also, how would you know if the mileage blocker put the actual mileage back on the odometer? Once the odometer/mileage is tampered with its truly TMU.

[timedate]

mileage tampering is rife in the u.k,

rule of thumb is to assume its happened and then do the necessary checks to hopefully rule it out, checks such as,

pedal and seat wear, amount of stonechips
seatbelt wear
service records
ecu inspection
contact previous owner, find out if they were a professional driver

in my opinion the above should be carried out before any test drive.

best used cars are from older retired people who have traded them in against a brand new car, if the dealer tells you this, then ask to verify it.


its easy to be overawed when you buy a car, excited to the point of not seeing the minefield ahead, its easy to feel rushed, and sometimes asking questions makes you feel awkward, but ask those questions, if the answers are sketchy or just stories, your instinct will tell you, dont ignore it, walk away.

people who sell cars are often ruthless, be ruthless in your pre-purchase investigation.

p.s. never touch an auction car.

[swils8610]

Why the issue with an auction car? Just curious. Most off lease vehicles in the US are sold via auction. This is how most dealers stock their lots and where most CPO’s come from. I agree and do your due diligent’s...however vehicles purchased from auctions aren’t bad vehicles. Most are great and the lease company selling them and the auction stands behind them. Often the manufacture will offer a discounted certification cost to the dealer if they purchase the car from them at auction. Cheers

[timedate]

Originally Posted by swils8610

Why the issue with an auction car? Just curious. Most off lease vehicles in the US are sold via auction. This is how most dealers stock their lots and where most CPO’s come from. I agree and do your due diligent’s...however vehicles purchased from auctions aren’t bad vehicles. Most are great and the lease company selling them and the auction stands behind them. Often the manufacture will offer a discounted certification cost to the dealer if they purchase the car from them at auction. Cheers

in the uk, decent ex lease cars go to specific dealers who specialise, there is a condition and mileage criteria, these auctions are generally closed to the public,

then there is the 2nd tier of auction, where all of the rubbish goes to, this rubbish is often bought by a local garage to put on his forecourt, it is usually clocked, and riddled with faults, they often look shiny and decent, but they are rubbish.


i have learnt the hard way buying used, nobody who sells from a forecourt wants to tell you they are auction sourced, they spin the line that they are part exchanges or bought from someone whose husband/wife just died.


The best cars are main dealer used, mostly these are trade-ins with full transparency and warranty, or a private sale from a genuine seller.


buying a used van from a dealer is also fraught with danger, they often buy ex-lease which should be good, but quite often these vans are ex-courier vans with massive miles that have had the good old haircut.

[swils8610]

Very interesting! In the US market most off lease vehicles are sold at a closed auction for dealers only. Dealers can also sell unwanted trade-ins or excess inventory some of which is rubbish or junk as I call it. The off lease vehicles that are sold are mostly guaranteed by the lease company and then again by the auction. The non lease company vehicles are generally sold as is with no guarantee at all. These are typically the vehicles that wind up on corner used car lots...more or less castaways the dealership doesn’t want. There are occasions the lease company will announce that a particular car is being sold as is...due to frame damage, TMU or other issues. Seems to be a similar structure to the UK. Cheers