The top 10 vehicles most likely to have a mileage discrepancy, or have been 'clocked', have been published by HPI.

Automotive data experts at HPI crunched the numbers to reveal that minibuses top the chart of vehicle types most likely to have a mileage anomaly.

It also discovered that orange-coloured cars are top of car thieves most wanted colours list. 

The company's HPI check data has identified that one in 14 vehicles has a mileage discrepancy, this statistic was one in 16 in 2017 and one in 20 cars in 2014 - an increase of nearly 30% in just five years.

There is also a one in three chance of uncovering another hidden problem, including outstanding finance, previously being an insurance write-off, or recorded stolen.

HPI checks more than 363 million mileage readings on the National Mileage Register as standard in its car check.

It also confirms whether a vehicle is currently recorded as stolen with the police, has outstanding finance or has been written off, making it the best way for consumers to protect themselves from fraudsters, it says.

Fernando Garcia, consumer director at HPI, said: "Vehicle checks from HPI reveal some shocking statistics that can affect the value of a car, including 726 cars found to have mileage discrepancies daily."

The EU estimates between 5-12% of used cars sold inside EU countries and 30-50% of those sold across borders within the EU have been clocked.

According to HPI, the vehicle types most likely to have a mileage discrepancy are:

  1. Minibus
  2. Luxury cars
  3. Roadsters/cabriolets
  4. Compact executives
  5. Estate cars
  6. Family cars and performance cars/hot hatches
  7. Coupes
  8. 4x4s
  9. Executive cars
  10. Small family cars

The most stolen vehicle colours flagged following a HPI Check are:

  1. Orange
  2. Cream
  3. Pink
  4. White
  5. Yellow
  6. Green
  7. Black
  8. Red/blue
  9. Grey 
  10. Gold/silver

More articles on: