Free car mileage check
Verify the recorded mileages at each MOT interval for FREE to ensure the claimed mileage is genuine.
Simply enter the reg number of the vehicle you want to check below.
How do you check whether a vehicle has been clocked?
Enter the registration of the vehicle you want to check into the car mileage check tool above.
Look at the recorded mileages from the vehicle’s previous MOT tests. If there are any discrepancies in the mileages reported at each interval, this may indicate that odometer tampering has taken place.
For instance, if a vehicle’s mileage appears to have fallen from one year to the next (or the annual increase was suspiciously small compared to previous years), it is possible that the odometer was doctored during this timeframe.
However, when determining whether a vehicle has been clocked, you should also rule out the possibility that the wrong mileage was recorded on the MOT certificate.
How does the car mileage checker tool work?
Our car mileage checker tool utilises MOT mileage data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which allows us to show you the mileage histories of UK-registered vehicles.
You can also verify the MOT status and history of any UK-registered vehicle with our free MOT check tool.
Is the car mileage check tool free?
Yes, our car mileage check tool is completely free to use - and there is no limit to how many vehicles you can check.
You can also use our free car check tool to retrieve key information about your vehicle’s specifications, tax details, registration date and more!
What is a mileage anomaly?
A ‘mileage anomaly’ refers to an inconsistency in mileage data. For example, the recorded mileage may appear to go down from one MOT interval to the next. This does not necessarily indicate odometer tampering; it is also possible that the MOT tester simply misrecorded the mileage.
Nevertheless, if you unwittingly purchase a car with a mileage anomaly, this can lead to problems further down the road:
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It is illegal to knowingly sell your car with a mileage anomaly without disclosing this when advertising the vehicle.
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What’s more, as mileage affects value, many prospective buyers will be deterred from purchasing a car that they know has an incorrect mileage.
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If you are successful in selling the car, you may get a lower price for it than if no mileage tampering had taken place.
If you are interested in a vehicle, but notice that it has a mileage anomaly, you should report this to the seller and ask them to rectify the error before you consider buying it.
How to fix MOT mileage discrepancies
If you notice an incorrect mileage on your MOT test certificate, you should report this to the MOT test centre within 28 days of the original test date. However, if this window has passed, you will need to appeal to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
The process to follow is explained fully in our guide ‘Wrong mileage on MOT certificate’.
Why is there no mileage data for my car?
Our car mileage check tool reports the recorded mileages from MOT tests. Therefore, if your vehicle has not yet had its first MOT test (this is very common for vehicles under three years old), we will be unable to provide you with its mileage data.
It is also possible that the vehicle has recently had its first MOT test, but the DVSA has not yet updated its database. MOT data is usually updated on the day of the test, but if it has not updated within five days, you should contact the DVSA.
What should I do if the mileage data isn’t available?
If the car is relatively new, it is unlikely to have an MOT history, as the annual MOT test is only compulsory for vehicles that are over three years old. (If you are unsure of a car’s age, you can determine this by referring to the reg plate. See our guide ‘What year is my car?’ for more information.)
If there is no MOT mileage data available for a vehicle, you can request to see copies of the car’s service history. These documents may also help you piece together the vehicle’s mileage history.
However, service documents can easily be misplaced. If the owner does not have the documents you need, you may be able to find the car’s missing service documents yourself.
Most manufacturers recommend servicing cars at least once a year. Therefore, aside from showing you that there are no mileage anomalies, seeing the service records can also give you the assurance that the owner has taken good care of the vehicle.
A vehicle that is only a few months old may not yet have any recorded mileage or service data available. However, you should still check whether the mileage stated in the advertisement matches the odometer reading.
Other frequently asked questions
Virtually all cars are prone to depreciation and will begin to lose value from the moment they are driven away from the forecourt. However, there are other factors that can cause vehicles to lose value at an accelerated rate:
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A car’s mileage can also influence its value. For example, a high mileage car will be worth less than another car of the same age, make and model with fewer miles on the clock.
To find out your car’s current market value, enter your reg number and mileage into our free car valuation tool now.
Any car that has an average annual mileage below 7,500 miles can be considered ‘low mileage’. Many second-hand buyers seek low mileage cars as they are less likely to develop mechanical faults than their higher mileage counterparts.
However, if you see a car you like that happens to have a higher mileage, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should walk away from the sale.
If the owner has kept up with repairs and servicing, all the important vehicle documentation is present – and the vehicle is in good condition, it could make for an excellent investment.
For a more detailed explanation of this topic, please see our guide ‘What is a good mileage on a used car?’