A pioneering new scheme has been launched to help buyers slash the chances of spending their money on a cloned or clocked second-hand car. Data company mycarcheck.com has teamed up with servicing specialist Nationwide Auto-centres to provide the package.

Used vehicles cause more problems for UK consumers than anything else. So it is astonishing that they hand over money without carrying out basic checks.


For £24.95, customers get a full physical inspection of any vehicle, including a 15-point safety and anti-clone check. “The Platinum service is a great way to have a qualified engineer look over a car and make sure that it’s safe and genuine for very little money,” said Roger Powell, general manager of mycarcheck.com. “We aim to make sure any car we inspect has not been scrapped, stolen or cloned. If we find something wrong, our team can help sort everything out at no extra cost.”

The scheme includes a free Vehicle Information Pack, a certificate of all the checks that have been carried out and a vehicle valuation. If mileage records are available, these are also provided as part of the service. To take advantage of the service, buyers simply drive to any of Nationwide Autocentres’ 210 outlets and wait while the vehicle is inspected.

“Used vehicles cause more problems for UK consumers than anything else,” warned Powell. “So it is astonishing that thousands of people are willing to hand over their money without carrying out even the most basic checks.”