Mileage Check UK
A mileage check lets you verify the recorded mileage history of any vehicle registered in the UK. The data comes from the DVSA MOT history, which records the odometer reading at every test. By comparing those readings over time, a mileage check helps you spot odometer clocking, mileage discrepancies and implausible patterns before you buy.
What is a mileage check?
A mileage check lets you review a vehicle’s recorded odometer readings over time. Each DVSA MOT test logs the mileage on the day of the test, so a mileage check builds a timeline you can use to confirm the reading is genuine and consistent with the car’s age.
How to check car mileage history
A fast, buyer-friendly way to verify recorded mileage.
Why a mileage check matters when buying
Mileage is one of the biggest factors in a used car’s value, which is exactly why odometer clocking remains profitable for dishonest sellers. Verifying the recorded mileage protects you from overpaying for a car that has done far more miles than it shows.
Want the full picture?
Combine mileage verification with a complete vehicle history report for MOT history, finance, theft markers, write-off records and more.
Mileage check FAQs
Common questions about mileage history and odometer clocking.
Clocking is the practice of winding back or altering a vehicle’s odometer so it shows fewer miles than it has actually travelled. A lower reading makes the car look less used and worth more than it really is.
Compare the recorded mileage across consecutive MOT tests. A reading that decreases between tests, or barely changes over several years, is a strong warning sign. Our report flags these inconsistencies automatically.
Mileage readings are recorded by the DVSA at every MOT test. Because a car over three years old is tested annually, these readings provide a reliable, dated record of how mileage has accumulated over time.
Adjusting an odometer is not itself a crime, but selling a car without disclosing that the mileage is incorrect is illegal under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Sellers must declare a known discrepancy.
Basic mileage readings are shown free with the GOV.UK MOT history service. CarCheckReport pulls those readings together, calculates the annual average and flags anomalies in a single report for a clearer picture.
The average UK car covers roughly 7,000 to 10,000 miles per year. Mileage far below that for the car’s age can be a red flag for clocking, while much higher mileage may mean heavier wear — both are worth questioning.
Yes. Lower genuine mileage generally increases a car’s value because it suggests less wear. That price difference is exactly why verifying the reading is recorded honestly is so important.
Ask the seller to explain the discrepancy in writing. A genuine odometer replacement should be documented. If there is no credible explanation, walk away and consider reporting the seller to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice.