26,512 bikes on UK roads have been 'clocked'

MORE THAN 26,512 motorbikes on Britain's roads have been "clocked" according to a report conducted by the BBC.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, it has been revealed in the year to March 2010, the recorded mileage on MOT certificates for 26,512 motorcycles had dropped compared with that recorded on the previous certificates issued the previous year.

The Government's Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Vosa) has defended the figures, saying there could be valid reasons in the discrepancies, such as data-inputting errors, or technical faults with the machine's odometer.

Gerry Taylor, lead Trading Standards officer for the motor trade, told the BBC he believes most mileage reduction is done with the single aim of helping sellers gain a better price: "Cases where an odometer may be faulty or malfunctioning are very rare."

BBC's 5 Live Investigates went undercover to contact 10 firms throughout the country about 'altering' a vehicles mileage reading; six were willing to taking part in "clocking" - a crime deemed as fraud in the UK.