What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Speedo accuracy Vs GPS

With all the technical wizardry in modern cars, why do speedometers routinely over read? I've used GPS/Satnav units in many different cars and the cars speedo is always over reading. Spookily this over reading is normally very close to the permitted 10%.

Surely this is having a huge impact on the cars milage reading, and also any fuel consumption figures? Higher recorded milage means more trips to the garage for servicing, and more perceived miles means lower fuel consumption figures. All good for the dealers then?

Asked on 25 July 2011 by seadog101

Answered by Honest John
They are deliberately set to over-read because up to 10% over is allowed, but no under-reading at all. Makes owners thing they are getting 10% better mpg than they really are, yet their cars are clocking up more miles.
Similar questions
When the cruise control on my Volvo XC70 is set at 60mph the TomTom says I am doing 58/59. When setting the cruise control to 61mph TomTom says I am doing 60. Which is likely to be more accurate, please?...
My Garmin nüvi 1300T satnav consistently shows 4mph less than the speedometer reading on my Qashqai 1.6 Acenta manual, checked on a level road. For example, at 30mph on the speedo the satnav reads 26mph....
Google maps shows the speed limit of the road you are on and your current speed. I’ve noticed that this is 4mph less than that displayed on my speedometer. It’s the same in my wife’s car and a friend has...
 

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 12% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ21 to save on an ALA policy

See offer