Mileage Check
Supports all UK registration formats: AB12 CDE, A123 ABC, ABC 123A
About Mileage Check
What is a Mileage Check?
A mileage check is a procedure used to validate the recorded distance a vehicle has travelled, typically by cross-referencing its odometer reading. A basic, free check can highlight discrepancies found in the MOT mileage history.
Our Standard and Full Checks provide a far more advanced analysis, utilising data from multiple authoritative sources including the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association), NAMA (National Association of Motor Auctions), the RMI (Retail Motor Industry Federation), the DVLA, and official MOT records.
Why Do People ClockCars?
There are two primary reasons why a seller might alter a vehicle’s mileage:
To fraudulently increase value
The most common motive is to reduce the displayed miles to make the car appear newer and less worn, thereby inflating its resale price.
To avoid excess mileage charges
Individuals on PCP or lease deals may clock a car to stay within their agreed mileage allowance, avoiding penalty fees payable to finance providers.
How to Detect if a Vehicle has been 'Clocked'
There are various indicators that a car may have been “clocked” (had its mileage illegally altered), such as showing significantly lower mileage than average for its age. However, obtaining a definitive answer can be complex.
By using our car check service, you simply enter the vehicle’s registration details to access its full mileage history. This includes data from past MOTs and previous mileage records. If the mileage has not increased consistently, or if the current quoted mileage is lower than a figure recorded at a previous MOT, this is a clear sign the vehicle has been clocked. Our report will flag this immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our free mileage check utilises data recorded by the DVSA during MOT tests. Our Standard and Full checks incorporate a more extensive dataset from a wider range of industry sources for an advanced history check.
It is a common misconception that the act of altering a mileage reading is always illegal. Technically, it is not illegal to change the odometer reading, provided that this alteration is fully disclosed to a potential buyer. However, if the alteration is hidden and the car is sold without disclosing the discrepancy, it becomes a criminal offence (fraud).
Many assume mileage fraud is rare, but it is surprisingly prevalent. Approximately one in eighteen cars in the UK has a mileage discrepancy—roughly 6% of all vehicles on the road. This makes conducting a history check a vital step before purchasing.
In some instances, a check may return no data. This is most often because the vehicle is under three years old (and thus has not yet required an MOT). Alternatively, if the vehicle has a new registration plate or was tested in Northern Ireland, data availability may be limited.
Rectifying mileage errors depends on the circumstances. If the error occurred during an MOT test completed more than 28 days ago, you must report the mistake to the DVSA for correction. If the MOT was conducted less than 28 days ago, you should return to the MOT centre where the test was performed to have them amend the record.
