WRITTEN QUESTION E-1088/02 by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Tampering with odometers in private cars.
Date: 2002-04-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: economic value, fraud, measuring equipment, motor car, used goods, vehicle parts

C 277 E/148

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

Concerning the agriculture sector, other than the delays, some systematic weaknesses were identified
2.
during the verification mission and through other contacts by the Commission. The shortcomings were
notified to the Greek authorities of which the most important were: lack of appropriate premises at the
beginning of the programming period; understaffing of the managing authority; weakness of appropriate
implementing mechanisms,
level and various other
administrative and logistic deficiencies.

regional and departmental

including those at

However,
progress has been made with the programme since early 2002.

it should be underlined that in the meantime the implementation has been accelerated and

Concerning the fisheries sector, the delay in getting access to the public aid foreseen by the programme is
due to having comply with the internal procedures approving the national
legislation and individual
projects. This delay should start to be reduced from the second half of 2002.

3.
The Commission considers that it is too early to evaluate the progress achieved by both the ‘NOP-
Rural Development (2000-2006)’ and the ‘NOP-Fisheries (2000-2006)’ in comparison with the relevant
programmes in the other Member States. This might be the case within the context of the mid-term review
exercise foreseen early 2004, when the Commission will receive relevant reports providing an overview of
the progress and results achieved.

(2002/C 277 E/168)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1088/02

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Tampering with odometers in private cars

(18 April 2002)

According to a report by the British television channel the BBC (‘Lifting the bonnet’ series, programme
broadcast on 21 March 2002), the phenomenon of tampering with odometers (‘clocking’) of used private
cars with the aim of increasing the car’s sale value has increased sharply in Europe. For example, one in
12 second-hand cars for sale in England has had its odometer tampered with so as to show fewer miles
than have actually been covered.

Does the Commission therefore intend to set up a body to monitor practices such as these in order to
protect European consumers?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 2002)

There have been in the past reports to the Commission about the issue raised in the BBC’s ‘Lifting the
Bonnet’ programme, which concerned odometer tampering or ‘clocking’ as the term is called, in order to
increase the perceived market value of a vehicle.

At present, there is no mechanism for controlling the practice at community level.

However, the Community has responsibility for Directives concerning roadworthiness testing and has a
technical committee to advise on how this legislation can be adapted in the interest of road safety and
protection of the environment and the consumers.

The Commission intends to raise the issue at a future meeting of this committee.