How to Spot Mileage Clocking
Mileage fraud affects an estimated 1 in 10 used cars in the UK. Learn how to protect yourself using free MOT data and simple physical checks.
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What is mileage clocking?
Mileage clocking is the illegal practice of winding back a vehicle's odometer to make it appear less used than it really is. A car that has actually covered 120,000 miles might be clocked back to 60,000, inflating its value by thousands of pounds.
Despite being illegal under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, clocking remains widespread. The rise of digital odometers has made it easier, not harder, for fraudsters to alter mileage — often with cheap software tools bought online.
Red flags to watch for
Mileage goes backwards
If any MOT test shows a lower reading than a previous one, the odometer has been tampered with. This is the single most obvious sign of clocking.
Suspiciously low mileage for the age
A 10-year-old car with only 30,000 miles is unusual. The UK average is roughly 7,000–10,000 miles per year. Be sceptical and ask for evidence.
Gaps in MOT mileage records
Missing years or sudden jumps of 20,000+ miles between tests can indicate the mileage was rolled back at some point.
Wear does not match the mileage
A shiny steering wheel, worn pedal rubbers, or a sagging driver seat on a "low mileage" car are physical signs the true mileage is much higher.
Service records do not match
Compare mileage on service stamps and invoices with MOT records. If the service history shows higher numbers than the dashboard, the car has been clocked.
How to check for clocking
Run a free MOT history check
Enter the registration on MotoFiles to see every MOT test with recorded mileage. This gives you a timeline of mileage readings going back years — completely free.
Look for consistency
Mileage should only ever go up. Plot the readings chronologically. Any drop — even a small one — is a red flag. Also check that annual increases are reasonable (5,000–12,000 miles is typical).
Compare with service records
Ask the seller for the service book and any invoices. Cross-reference the mileage at each service with the MOT data. Discrepancies mean the car has been tampered with.
Inspect physical wear
Check the steering wheel, gear knob, seats, and pedals. A car with 40,000 miles should not look like it has done 140,000. Excessive wear is a strong indicator of clocking.
Consider a full history check
A paid HPI-style report can cross-reference mileage data from multiple sources, including previous sale listings and insurance records, to flag discrepancies you might miss.
Check mileage history for free
Every MOT test records the vehicle's mileage. Use our free MOT history check to see the full timeline and spot any discrepancies instantly.
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