How to Check If a Vehicle Has Been Clocked
Buying a used car should feel straightforward, but the threat of clocking can turn it into a gamble. If you are unsure about a vehicle’s past, it makes sense to check mileage on car before you agree to buy.
Clocking is a type of mileage fraud where someone changes the odometer reading to make the car seem newer than it is. A proper check helps you spot a mileage discrepancy, such as mileage that drops between MOT tests or does not increase in a normal way.
Our vehicle mileage check service makes the process quick and easy for UK vehicles. You enter the registration number, then compare the official mileage record with the current odometer reading, so you can decide whether the car is priced fairly.
Check Car Mileage History (Infographic)
How Our Car Mileage Checker Tool Works
Our car mileage check tool looks up recorded mileage from past MOT tests for UK-registered vehicles. We use MOT mileage data held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, so you can see how the mileage reading has changed over time.
This helps when you are buying a car and want to check whether the mileage history makes sense. You can use our mileage check free tool as often as you like by entering the registration number.
If you also want more details, you can use our
car MOT check tool to see the MOT status and MOT history, or our
car reg check tool for the complete history for the same vehicle.
What You Need to Run a Reliable Mileage Check
To run a mileage history check, you only need the vehicle registration number. You can use it to check a car even if you are not the owner, which is useful when you want to check the car mileage before you buy.
Our results come from the DVSA MOT database, which covers MOT tests in England, Scotland, and Wales. Vehicles tested in Northern Ireland are not included, so the tool may not return mileage information for those cars.
Where Your Vehicle Mileage Data Comes From
Your vehicle mileage data comes from the DVSA. Each time a car goes in for an MOT, the tester records the mileage, and that figure is added to the official record. This means our mileage checker is based on the mileage that was recorded during official MOT visits.
Our mileage car check pulls those figures together and sorts them according to the date. We then flag potential issues, such as a drop in mileage or unusually small increases between tests.
This is why a free car mileage check can be extremely useful before purchasing. It allows you to identify potential problems early and make informed decisions with less guesswork.
Understanding Mileage Anomalies and Discrepancies
Mileage anomalies and discrepancies do not always mean a car has been clocked. Sometimes the incorrect mileage is simply recorded by mistake during an MOT.
The problem is that a wrong figure can still raise questions later. If you sell the car, you may need to explain why the record looks odd when someone tries to check vehicle mileage.
A free mileage check helps you spot common errors early. For example, the mileage may be entered in kilometres instead of miles, or a typing mistake may add thousands of miles when you check mileage of a car.
Why Your Car Might Not Have Any Recorded Mileage Data
Sometimes you will run a car check mileage search and get no mileage results back. That does not always mean something is wrong, and it can happen for a few normal reasons.
If the vehicle is under three years old, it may not have had its first MOT yet, so there is no MOT mileage record to show. You may also see no results if the car has only ever been tested in Northern Ireland, or if it has recently changed plates or been newly registered when you check cars mileage free.
What to Do If Mileage Data Is Missing for Your Vehicle
If your vehicle check mileage results show no data, speak with the owner and ask for documents that support the mileage. This is a sensible step for any car buyer if they want to understand the car’s wear and tear.
Request service records and invoices for repairs, servicing, or maintenance. These usually include the mileage at the time the work was done, which can help you confirm the mileage.
How to Correct Errors in Your Vehicle’s Recorded Mileage
If you think your mileage record is wrong when you check mileage history, it is worth sorting it out as soon as you can. A clear record makes it easier to sell the car later and avoids awkward questions.
- Contact the DVSA (MOT history) and explain which mileage entry looks wrong.
- Gather proof of accurate mileage, such as old MOT certificates, service records, or invoices for services and maintenance.
- Send your request to the DVSA (MOT history) with copies of your evidence, so they can review it and decide if a correction is possible.
- Keep your own mileage paperwork in a safe place, because it makes future checks and fixes much easier.
The DVSA may not be able to change the record if they cannot confirm the mileage from the documents you provide. Clear evidence gives you the best chance of getting the record corrected.
Is the Car Mileage Checker Free to Use?
Yes, our car mileage checker is free to use, and you can run as many searches as you like. If you want to check miles on car records for more than one vehicle, you can do that without paying.
You can also use our free car check tool for extra details about a vehicle.
How Mileage Can Affect Your Car’s Market Value
Most cars lose value over time, and the decline typically begins as soon as the vehicle leaves the dealership. Some things can speed that up, such as accident damage, which can lower a car’s value even after repairs.
Mileage also plays a big part in what a car is worth. A higher-mileage car is usually worth less than a similar car of the same age, make, and model with fewer miles, so it is a good idea to check mileage car details carefully.
A milage check can help you understand what the numbers should look like for the car’s age and use. If you check vehicle mileage history, you will be in a stronger position to judge whether the asking price is fair.
What Is Considered Good Mileage for a Used Car?
Many people call a used car low mileage or good mileage if it averages under 7,500 miles a year. Buyers often like low mileage because the car likely had an easier life and may be less likely to develop faults.
However, a higher-mileage car can still be a good buy, so do not rule it out straight away. If it has been serviced on time, repaired when needed, and comes with the right paperwork, it could be in great shape.
Focus on how the car has been cared for, not just the number on the dashboard. Always check car mileage history as well, to make sure the mileage increases make sense from one year to the next to avoid mileage fraud.
Mileage Statistics and Report
A study conducted in June 2019 checked 12,300 random UK vehicle registrations and found mileage issues in 797 cases. That works out at 6.47 percent of the vehicles reviewed.
Using that same percentage across an estimated 38.2 million vehicles in the UK suggests that around 2.47 million vehicles could have mileage discrepancies. However, these figures are estimates from a single sample, so they may not reflect the current situation for all vehicles today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check car mileage?
To check car mileage, use our check car mileage online tool and enter the vehicle registration number. This will show the mileage recorded at past MOT tests.
How to check car mileage is genuine?
To check if the car mileage is genuine, compare the MOT mileage history with the current odometer and look for anything that does not add up. A mileage discrepancy check helps you spot drops, odd jumps, or mileage recorded in the wrong units.
How many miles has my car done?
To find out how many miles your car has done, check the number on the odometer first. Then confirm it against the most recent MOT mileage record using a car reg check mileage search.
How to check the BHP of a car?
To check the BHP of a car, start with the V5C logbook or the manufacturer’s official specs for that model. If you want a quick lookup, our
BHP Check can show the quoted power figure using the registration number.
How to check the mileage of a bike?
To check the mileage of a bike, read the odometer first, then ask for service and repair invoices that list the mileage on each visit. Our
Bike Check can also help where MOT mileage records are available for the bike.
Can I check my mileage if my car has a private plate?
Yes, you can still check your mileage if your car has a private plate. Use the current registration, and if the car has recently changed plates, check again after the records have updated.
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