Why check the mileage?
Clocking (winding back the mileage) makes a car look less used and worth more than it is. It's easier than it sounds with digital dashboards, so it's worth checking the reading against the car's history.
What the mileage check shows
- Every mileage reading from the car's MOT tests, on a chart from first registration
- Any reading lower than an earlier one, which is a strong sign of clocking
- Spells of very low use (under 500 miles a year) and gaps of more than 13 months between tests
- The car's average yearly mileage
The mileage check is in both reports: the MOT and tax check (£2.99) and the full history check (£9.99).
What to do if something looks wrong
Compare the dashboard with the last MOT reading and with service records. A drop isn't always fraud (a replacement instrument cluster or a typing error at a test can cause one), so ask the seller to explain it. Our guide How to spot a clocked car has more signs to look for.
Questions
Where do the mileage readings come from?
From the DVSA's MOT records: the tester records the mileage at every test.
Can a car under three years old be checked?
It won't have had an MOT yet, so there won't be readings to compare. The report still shows the rest of the car's record.