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Free UK Mileage Check: Spot Clocking at Every MOT

Verify Any UK Vehicle's Mileage History and Detect Clocking

Worried your car's mileage might not be genuine? Our free, instant check shows every mileage reading recorded at each DVSA MOT test, so you can spot the warning signs of clocking and compare your car's annual mileage against the UK average of around 7,400 miles.

Free MOT, Tax & Mileage Check · No Sign-Up · Instant Results

Mileage at every MOT test recorded
Smooth progression check
Potential clocking flags
Average annual mileage calculation
First recorded and latest mileage
MOT test dates with mileage timeline

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Red flags in mileage history

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Mileage drops between tests — the most obvious sign of clocking. Any downward movement in recorded mileage is a major red flag.
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Mileage jumps that are too large — going from 20,000 to 90,000 miles in one year suggests the car may have had a long-haul commercial life not reflected in its presentation.
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Long gaps between tests without mileage context — a car that wasn't MOT'd for several years has a gap where you cannot verify mileage.

Learn More

Mileage fraud, commonly known as clocking, is illegal in the UK under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Fraud Act 2006. Sellers who knowingly misrepresent a vehicle's mileage can face fines, imprisonment, and a criminal record. If you discover you've bought a clocked car, you may be entitled to compensation or a refund under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, especially if the seller was a dealer. You should report the seller to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice and consider contacting the police if fraud is suspected. Always review the MOT mileage history before purchase, as any discrepancies it reveals can form useful evidence if a dispute arises later.

While low mileage can indicate minimal use, it doesn't automatically mean a car is in better condition. Vehicles that have sat unused for long periods often suffer from seized brakes, perished rubber seals, rusted components, and rodent damage to wiring. A car driven only short distances may also have increased engine wear from never reaching operating temperature. Additionally, very low mileage can be harder to verify through service history alone, making it easier for fraudsters to clock the odometer without immediate suspicion. Always cross-reference low mileage claims with a MOT history check to see if the recorded mileage aligns with annual usage patterns.

Beyond reviewing the MOT mileage history, you can inspect the car for wear that should match the claimed mileage. Check the driver's seat bolster for sagging, the steering wheel for shine or wear, and the pedal rubbers for smoothness—heavy wear on a low-mileage car is a red flag. Look at the service book for consistent stamps and dates that align with MOT records — see our car service history check guide for exactly what to check and ask for — and ensure the odometer display is clear and not tampered with. For a comprehensive overview, combine these checks with a free MOT and tax check to verify the vehicle's overall history and spot any inconsistencies.

Cars under three years old are not required to have an MOT test, so no official mileage records exist from the DVSA for that period. This makes it impossible to use a standard MOT mileage check to detect clocking on newer vehicles. Instead, you should request full service history from the dealer or private seller, including invoices from the manufacturer or independent garages. You can also check the vehicle's digital service record if available, or contact the previous keeper for confirmation. Once the car turns three and its first MOT history becomes available, this page will let you track its mileage progression from that point onward.

How do I check a car's mileage history for free?

You can check a car's mileage history for free by viewing every mileage reading recorded at each DVSA MOT test, which reveals any gaps or inconsistencies that suggest clocking (illegal odometer tampering). Compare the yearly figures against the UK average of around 7,400 miles a year to spot suspiciously low or inconsistent readings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Enter the vehicle registration in the box above and you'll instantly see every mileage reading recorded at each DVSA MOT test, free of charge. This car mileage check lets you compare the readings for inconsistencies that could indicate clocking.

Compare the mileage recorded at each DVSA MOT test for free on this page and check it rises smoothly year on year — a drop or inconsistency is a mileage discrepancy and a red flag for clocking, which is illegal under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Fraud Act 2006. As a guide, UK cars average around 7,400 miles a year, so unusually low readings between tests also warrant a closer look.

Clocking involves winding back a vehicle's odometer to show a lower mileage. Modern digital odometers can be clocked using specialist equipment available for as little as £50. The DVSA's MOT mileage records are one of the best ways to detect it.

Look for mileage that drops between MOT tests or doesn't progress smoothly. A car showing 40,000 miles on the clock but with 80,000 miles at a previous MOT test is almost certainly clocked.

MOT mileage readings are recorded by the test station from the car's odometer — they are not independently verified. A car clocked before an MOT test will show the fraudulent mileage in the records. This is why looking for progression patterns matters.

The UK average is around 7,400 miles per year. High-mileage cars (motorway drivers, sales reps) can do 20,000-30,000 miles per year. Very low mileage may seem attractive but can also indicate a car that sat unused for long periods, which creates its own maintenance issues.

Check your vehicle now — free, no sign-up

Enter any UK registration above to see official DVLA and DVSA records instantly.