TWO garages suspected of “clocking” cars and selling them at inflated prices were raided by police and trading standards.

Bolton Council and police are investigating claims that motorists have been victims of fraud worth thousands of pounds.

In a series of raids across Westhoughton yesterday, police seized documents, phones, computer equipment and cash after searching the two garages, a lock-up and their owners’ homes.

Officials from trading standards and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency also examined dozens of cars to ensure that they were legitimate and roadworthy.

The raids were launched after motorists reported that they had bought cars which they suspected had been clocked — an illegal process in which a car’s recorded mileage is reduced to increase its value. Police and trading standards are responding to complaints that the two garages have bought hire cars with more than 100,000 miles on the clock, then removed up to 70,000 miles before selling them.

Customers as far away as Birmingham and Scotland may have been affected.

The raids were carried out at Parklands Specialists Cars in Wigan Road and C Mills Car Sales in Bolton Road, as well as a lock-up in James Street.

The owners’ homes in Chorley Road and Cherwell Road were also raided.

A 28-year-old man was arrested at the house in Chorley Road on suspicion of money laundering and more than £6,000 was seized.

A second man, aged 24, was arrested at the house in Cherwell Road on suspicion of money laundering, and about £15,000 was seized.

PC Gareth Barnes, who led the operation, said: “We’ve had quite a few calls from the public, and that’s why we’ve mounted this operation involving a number of local garages.

“This is a joint operation with Greater Manchester Police and trading standards in relation to mileage being altered on vehicles.”

PC Barnes advised anyone who is worried about vehicle fraud to use all available resources to check that second hand cars being sold are as they appear.

Vehicle checking services are available through HPI, the AA and the RAC.

PC Barnes said: “It is better to pay £50 for a checking service and walk away than to pay £10,000 to £15,000 for a car then have it taken off you by the police.”

Editor’s note: A solicitor for Christopher Mills, the owner of C Mills Car Sales,  contacted us in May 2020 to tell us that the investigation was closed in 2011 with no action being taken against his client.