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How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:22 pm
by sonny007
Basically what the title says.

Traveling 200 miles to view a 2005 model diesel e53.

How do i check if the cars mileage is genuine or not.

Vosa and Hpi seems to coincide with the service book, but just to be extra sure.

Apologies if this is a repost.

Many thanks,

Sonny

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 2:44 pm
by StewieG
If MOT MILEAGE AND VOSA MILEAGE MATCH THENU SHOULD BE FINE. HOWEVER ASK TO SEE ANY OLD MOT TO VERIFY YOUR VOSA PRINT OUT YOU TAKE WITH YOU.

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 3:03 pm
by JohnnyRob
Tell me about it.  I'd forgotten just how many BMs are clocked.

As Stewie says get the current MOT number and vehicle registration mark and check online with VOSA to verify the mileage.

This of course will not show any mileage discrepancies if the car is clocked before an MOT.

Checking BMW service history with BMW UK is another helpful tool.  They used to do it free via an email to customer services, but I understand now you have to ring a premium number and talk to them.

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 6:47 pm
by Horizon
On my last MOT. Certificate I noticed that the last five years mile ages were printed on there. I read also that a dot appears in the window near the mileage figures if its been allterered or if the binnacle doesn't match the vin number, as the mileage is stores in a module and on the binacle, check the internet to verify that info.

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 7:13 pm
by shadrack
My indy said most are clockd bed e the first mot. 3 year old rep mobile on 150k are put back to 50k then motd

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 7:40 pm
by mikem
The tamper dot only appears if Vin Nos are different not mileages. If a Used LCM is fitted the tamper dot will light until it's coded with the correct Vin.

Best thing to do is take a BMW scanner 1.4.0 with you and read the mileages stored in the different modules along with mileages stored against any old fault codes. Mileages are all stored in KMs and some modules update every KM, some count in 10s and some 100s, so don't be alarmed if they look slightly a miss.

Unfortunately if all modules have been changed and all previous fault codes erased its impossible to tell 100%.

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 8:54 pm
by shadrack
doubt anyone will let you plug any type of scanner into a car forsale when theres all the thefts of bmws using a usb lead ::)

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 9:42 pm
by mikem
[quote="shadrack"]
doubt anyone will let you plug any type of scanner into a car forsale when theres all the thefts of bmws using a usb lead ::)
[/quote]

LOL. That's the newer fob key though and I doubt very few people outside of forums are even aware of it, even after being on the telly.

I wouldn't buy a car from anyone who wouldn't let me scan it.

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:00 am
by JohnnyRob
I've heard similar stories on pre mot vehicles.

Re: How to check if an e53 has been clocked

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2013 7:54 pm
by jaynana
check the service history - call up the service ppl and check the serviced mileages. they'd be reluctant to go through the trouble but there you go..

i once escaped from a scum bag this way..  - another bmw!