What a car mileage check shows you
Every time a car has its MOT, the tester reads the mileage off the dashboard and logs it with the DVSA. Put those readings in order and you can follow the car's miles, test by test.
- A chart of every reading, with any drop shown in red
- How many miles the car covered between each test
- Its average miles per year, compared with the UK average
- A warning if there's a long gap between readings
The records start in 2005 for cars tested in England, Scotland and Wales, and in 2017 for Northern Ireland. If you also want the faults and advisories from each test, you can see the full MOT record too.
How to check car mileage by reg
- Get the number plate. That's all you need. You don't need the V5C logbook or the seller's permission.
- Type it into the yellow box at the top of this page and press Check mileage.
- Read the line above the chart. It tells you straight away whether the mileage ever went down.
- Compare it with the car. At the viewing, take a photo of the dashboard. The reading should be higher than the last MOT, plus normal use since.
How to tell if a car has been clocked
Clocking means winding the mileage back so a car looks less used and sells for more. It still happens, and digital dashboards haven't stopped it. In its 2025 research, the history check company carVertical found signs of clocking on about 2 in every 100 UK cars it checked.
Warning signs in the records
- A reading that's lower than the one before it
- The seller's figure is lower than the last MOT
- Service stamps or invoices that don't fit the MOT readings
- A gap of more than a year and a half with no reading at all
Warning signs on the car
- A shiny, worn steering wheel or gear knob on a "low mileage" car
- Brand new pedal rubbers on an older car, which can hide wear
- A sagging or worn driver's seat bolster
- Lots of stone chips on the bonnet and windscreen
One sign on its own proves nothing. Several together, plus a drop in the records, is a strong reason to walk away.
Not every drop means clocking
Testers type the mileage in by hand, so mistakes happen. Before you assume the worst, check for these:
- A typing error. One reading with a digit missing or added, then the next test carries on as normal.
- A new dashboard. If a garage fitted a new instrument cluster, the reading can reset. The owner should have the receipt.
- Miles and kilometres mixed up. This is common on imported cars, where one test logged the figure in the wrong unit.
Here's the quick way to tell them apart. A single odd reading that the next MOT puts right is almost always a typo. A drop where every reading after it stays lower is the kind to worry about.
What's a normal mileage?
UK cars cover around 7,000 miles a year on average. That gives you a rough guide for a car's age:
| Car's age | Typical mileage at 7,000 a year |
|---|---|
| 3 years | About 21,000 |
| 5 years | About 35,000 |
| 8 years | About 56,000 |
| 10 years | About 70,000 |
Plenty of cars sit well above or below this. A company car or a long commute can add 15,000 a year, while a retired driver might do 3,000. Very low mileage isn't always good news, either. Lots of short trips are hard on the clutch, battery and exhaust, and a car that sat still for months can need new tyres and brakes.
What to do if the mileage looks wrong
If you're buying
- Ask the seller to explain the drop, and get the answer in a message or email
- Ask for the service book, invoices and old MOT certificates to back it up
- Pay for a full history check, which also searches garage, dealer and auction records
- If the story doesn't add up, walk away. There are plenty of other cars
If it's your own car
If the latest MOT shows the wrong mileage, go back to the test centre within 28 days and ask them to correct it. After that, you report it to the DVSA online with proof of the right figure, such as a service receipt from around the time of the test.
If you've already bought a clocked car
If you bought from a dealer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the car must be as described. A false mileage means it wasn't, so you may be able to reject it or get money back. With a private seller it's harder, but they still can't lie about the car. Call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline, which passes cases on to Trading Standards.
Frequently asked questions
Is a mileage check free?
Yes. The MOT readings are public records, so you can see them here or on GOV.UK without paying. Paid history checks add readings from garages, dealers and auctions, which helps on a car with only a few MOTs.
Can you check the mileage on a car under three years old?
Not from MOT records, because most cars don't have their first MOT until they turn three. Ask for the service book or the dealer's invoices instead, as each service should note the mileage.
Is it illegal to clock a car in the UK?
Changing a mileage reading isn't illegal on its own, because garages sometimes have to when they fit a new dashboard. Selling a car without telling the buyer its mileage is wrong is against the law, and Trading Standards can prosecute.
Can a digital odometer be clocked?
Yes. Digital dashboards are no harder to change than old dial ones. Someone with the right kit can plug into the diagnostic port and change the reading in minutes, so check the records, not just the screen.
What mileage is too high for a used car?
There isn't a set number. A car with 120,000 miles and a full service history can be a better buy than one with 60,000 and no paperwork. How the owners looked after the car matters more than the figure on the dashboard.
