Clocking makes a car look less used than it is. Here's how mileage fraud works, the signs to look for, and how the MOT mileage record helps you catch it.
"Clocking" means winding back a car's mileage so it looks less used than it really is. A lower mileage can add hundreds or thousands of pounds to the price, and it can hide wear that will cost you money later. Digital dashboards haven't stopped it: the equipment to change them is easy to get.
Why mileage matters
Mileage is one of the biggest factors in a used car's value. It also tells you how worn the engine, gearbox, clutch, suspension and brakes are likely to be, and when expensive servicing such as a cambelt change is due. A car that's done 120,000 miles but shows 60,000 will be priced and serviced as if it's done half the work it has.
Check the MOT mileage record
Every MOT test since 2005 records the mileage. That gives you a timeline of readings, and it's the best way to catch clocking:
- A reading that goes down is the clearest warning sign. Mileage should only ever go up.
- Very low use for a long period can be genuine, for example a second car or a long stay abroad, but it's worth asking about.
- Long gaps between MOTs mean there are no readings for that period. Ask why the car wasn't tested.
- A current mileage that doesn't fit the history. If a car averaged 10,000 miles a year for six years, a much lower figure now needs explaining.
Our reports chart every MOT reading and flag drops, long gaps and unusually low use automatically. Check a car's mileage history.
A drop in the MOT mileage isn't always fraud. A replacement instrument cluster or a typing mistake at a test can cause one. A genuine seller should be able to explain it, ideally with paperwork.
Compare the paperwork
- Service history: the mileage on each stamp or invoice should rise steadily and fit with the MOT readings.
- Receipts for work: tyre, exhaust and repair invoices usually record the mileage too.
- Missing history: a car with no paperwork at all is harder to verify. Be more cautious, not less.
Look at the wear
A car's interior shows how much it's been used. Check whether these match the mileage on the dashboard:
- A shiny or worn steering wheel and gear knob.
- Worn pedal rubbers, especially the brake and clutch.
- A sagging or worn driver's seat bolster.
- Worn buttons and switches, and a heavily marked driver's footwell.
- Stone chips on the bonnet and front bumper.
Be suspicious of brand new pedal rubbers or a new steering wheel cover on a car with a modest mileage. They can be fitted to hide wear.
What to do if you suspect clocking
Ask the seller to explain the mileage, and walk away if you're not happy with the answer. Selling a clocked car without telling the buyer is illegal. If you think you've been sold one, contact Citizens Advice, which can refer the case to Trading Standards.