10:59 am, October 21, 2026
Used car dealers who deliberately wind back vehicle mileages face tougher enforcement under new government plans to crack down on car clocking.
The government has announced that the practice will be explicitly added to the list of banned commercial practices under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
Fraudulently selling a clocked vehicle is already illegal, but ministers say the change will make it easier for enforcement authorities to take action against dishonest traders.
The move forms part of a wider package of measures announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham aimed at protecting motorists from scams and unfair charges.
The new car clocking rules will apply to businesses selling vehicles to consumers, with the government arguing that tougher enforcement will also help protect legitimate dealerships from unfair competition.
Cazoo has welcomed the announcement, having campaigned for tougher legislation to tackle the practice, but says ministers must go further.
Lucy Tugby, chief marketing officer at Cazoo, said: ‘This is a huge step forward, and we’re pleased the government has listened to our calls to create a fairer marketplace for UK car buyers and the thousands of legitimate dealers across the country who have been calling for urgent action.
‘Formally adding car clocking to the official list of banned commercial practices under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 gives enforcement bodies the sharper teeth needed to crack down on the traders that don’t play by the rules.’
However, Tugby said Cazoo would continue pushing for the act of altering a vehicle’s mileage itself to become a specific offence.
She added: ‘While this measure holds unscrupulous sellers accountable, the law still doesn’t go far enough.
‘We remain steadfast in our mission to make the act of altering a vehicle’s mileage a specific offence, something nine in ten (90%) dealers agree with.
‘We will continue working with the industry to close the remaining gap so that every motorist and all honest dealers are protected once and for all.’
Cazoo is also encouraging supporters to sign its petition calling for further changes to the law.
The AA has also backed the government’s announcement, with head of roads policy Jack Cousens at the motoring organisation, said: ‘Buying a car is a major purchase, so making it easier to crack down on those trying to deceive consumers is welcome.’
Minister for Consumer Action Kate Dearden said: ‘Nobody works hard for their money just to be deceived by a dodgy trader, and this is exactly the kind of everyday rip-off this government is going after.
‘By making it easier to take action against car clocking, we are protecting consumers’ hard-earned money and supporting businesses that play by the rules.’
The announcement does not introduce a new offence of car clocking. Instead, the government intends to make the practice an explicitly prohibited commercial activity, strengthening the tools available to enforcement bodies.
The crackdown was announced alongside a new Private Parking Code of Practice, which was laid before Parliament on October 20.
Under the proposed rules, motorists will be guaranteed five minutes to decide whether to park and a further 10 minutes to leave after their parking session ends.
Drivers will also be able to have charges cancelled on appeal in circumstances beyond their control, including medical emergencies, vehicle breakdowns and faulty ticket machines.
Smaller mistakes, such as entering an incorrect registration number or forgetting to display a permit, will attract a maximum charge of £20 following an appeal under the relevant provisions.
The maximum private parking charge will also be frozen at £100, while operators who fail to comply with the code risk losing access to DVLA keeper data.
The government says just under 17 million private parking charges were issued across the UK last year.
The AA welcomed the proposed protections but warned that more action was needed to tackle unfair charges.
Cousens said: ‘After seven long years, drivers finally have something which could offer them better protections against the worst private parking operators.
‘For too long, many private parking operators have aggressively attacked drivers to the point where many simply pay up if they receive a charge from one on the doorstep.
‘While this is a good first step, there is still a huge amount of work to do, such as tackling the scourge of debt recovery fees. Ultimately, we need to stop charges being issued in the first place, especially where the driver has done nothing wrong.’
He added that the balance had previously felt in favour of parking companies and said the AA hoped further safeguards would follow.
Ministers have promised a consultation next year on debt recovery fees, including whether the existing £70 cap should be reduced or the fees scrapped altogether.
The parking code will apply across England, Scotland and Wales, although it must undergo parliamentary scrutiny before coming into force.
The government has not yet confirmed when the proposed change to the banned practices list covering car clocking will take effect.