FOLLOW THE NUMBERS
Mileage tells you more when you look at it over time. Compare MOT readings, service records and the car’s condition before accepting the number in the advert.
Car Check
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BUILD A TIMELINE
Check the readings together.
One odd entry could be a recording error. A pattern, a gap or a drop needs a proper explanation.
Past readings
The official MOT history records mileage at tests. Put the dates and numbers in order.
Service invoices
Look for dates and mileage on maintenance and repair receipts, not just stamps in a book.
Wear and use
Compare tyres, seats, pedals and controls with the claimed use. Condition alone is not proof, but it can prompt questions.
IF IT DOES NOT ADD UP
Ask for an explanation in writing.
A test-centre typo is possible, but do not assume that every discrepancy is harmless. Ask the seller for supporting records and consider a fuller history check before paying.
01 Read MOT dates
02 Compare invoices
03 Question discrepancies
KNOW THE LIMITS
What the MOT record can and cannot show.
The GOV.UK MOT history service shows the mileage recorded at each test. It is the best free starting point, but it has gaps. Our guide to reading MOT history explains the rest of the record.
Readings start in 2005
For cars tested in England, Scotland and Wales, results go back to 2005. In Northern Ireland they start in 2017. Earlier mileage will not appear.
Newer cars have none
A car’s first MOT is due at three years old (four in Northern Ireland), so a young car may have no MOT readings yet. See no MOT history found.
Snapshots, not a log
Readings are taken only on test days, usually a year apart. The V5C log book does not record mileage, so service invoices fill the gaps.
READ THE PATTERN
Why a reading might look wrong.
Some odd readings have an innocent explanation. Others are warning signs. Ask for evidence either way.
A typing error
One reading out of line with those either side may be a digit entered wrongly at the test. Later readings should carry on the normal pattern.
Miles or kilometres
Imported cars, or a reading entered in the wrong unit, can make the numbers jump. Check the unit shown for each test.
A replaced instrument cluster
A new speedometer or dashboard can show a different figure. Ask for the invoice with the date and mileage at the time it was fitted.
Readings that go down
A drop that is not explained by one of the reasons above needs supporting records before you go any further.
Long gaps
Years without an MOT or service could mean the car was off the road (check for SORN), but they also leave mileage unaccounted for.
Records that disagree
Compare MOT readings with service invoices. Our guide to MOT history vs service history shows how to line them up.
CLOCKING AND THE LAW
The offence is in the selling.
In the UK it is not illegal in itself to alter or “correct” an odometer. Selling a car with a false mileage without disclosing it is a different matter. A trader who misleads buyers about mileage can break consumer protection law, and knowingly misrepresenting mileage can also amount to fraud. If you think you have bought a clocked car, keep the advert, messages and receipt, and contact Citizens Advice, which can pass the case to Trading Standards.
01 Keep the advert
02 Save the MOT readings
03 Contact Citizens Advice
THE DETAILS
Mileage questions.
Where can I check MOT mileage for free?
Use the official MOT history service with the registration number.
Does a low mileage mean a better car?
Not by itself. Maintenance, storage, age and condition all matter. A well-documented higher-mileage car may be easier to assess than one with gaps.
Is clocking illegal in the UK?
Adjusting an odometer is not illegal in itself. Selling a car with a false mileage, or describing the mileage in a misleading way, can be an offence. If you are buying from a trader, the car must also match its description under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Does the V5C log book show the mileage?
No. The V5C does not record mileage. Use the MOT history, service invoices and the seller’s paperwork. You can also check the V5C is genuine while you are at it.
Why is there no MOT mileage for a car’s first years?
Cars do not need an MOT until they are three years old (four in Northern Ireland). Ask for the service invoices from that period instead.
What if a reading goes backwards?
Request an explanation and service records. A mistake may have been entered, but a sudden drop needs evidence before you decide.