HIGH-TECH “clockers” will make a mockery of used car mileage declarations without a change in public attitude towards higher mileage cars.

That's the warning from CAP, suppliers of benchmark business information to the automotive industry.

Martin Ward, national research manager, believes the increasing availability of specialist equipment which can adjust even digital odometers means mileage can only be truly verified using a car's paper history.

But the most effective answer to the problem is removal of the massive financial incentives for wiping the miles off, and that means car buyers accepting the fact that well maintained modern cars are almost as good as new at 100,000 miles plus.

Martin Ward said: "British car owners place far too much emphasis on mileage, whereas across Europe condition and appearance count.

"Our obsession with mileage means a clocker can make up to £1,000 winding back the clock on a typical mass volume four-year-old ex-fleet car back from 90,000 to 40,000. On premium cars, like BMW or Mercedes, they easily double that.”