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Free mileage check

See every mileage reading recorded at the car's MOT tests, in date order, with an alert if the reading ever went down. We also show how far the car travels in a typical year compared with the UK average. It is free, from DVSA records.

Free. No sign-up.

What this check shows

  • Every mileage reading recorded at an MOT since 2005
  • An alert when a reading falls by more than 100 miles
  • The latest recorded mileage and when it was taken
  • Average miles a year, compared with the UK average of about 7,000
  • How many tests recorded the odometer as unreadable
  • Kilometre readings converted to miles
See it in the sample report

Why mileage history matters

Mileage is one of the biggest factors in a used car's price, and it is easy to fake. Clocking, which means winding back the odometer, can take minutes on a modern car with the right equipment. The best defence is the paper trail: every MOT records the reading, and those readings should only ever go up.

We put every reading in date order and check each one against the last. If a reading is more than 100 miles lower than the one before, you get a clear alert showing the date and both figures. Smaller dips are usually a retest or a rounding difference, so we do not flag them. Readings taken in kilometres are converted to miles.

If the mileage went down

A falling reading is the classic sign of clocking, but it is not proof on its own. Testers sometimes type a figure wrong, and a replaced instrument cluster can show a different total. Both should leave a trail: the readings either side of a typing mistake will make sense, and a new cluster should come with a garage invoice.

Ask the seller to explain, and ask for the paperwork. If there is none, walk away or have the car properly inspected. Selling a clocked car without declaring it is illegal. Also compare the latest MOT reading with the dashboard on the day, which should always show a higher figure. Our guide on how to spot a clocked car covers the physical signs to look for as well.

High, low and average mileage

We work out the car's average miles a year since first registration and compare it with the UK average of about 7,000 miles a year, from the Department for Transport. Under 5,000 a year counts as low and over 10,000 as high. Neither is bad on its own: a car that cruised up and down motorways can be in better shape than a low-mileage car that only did short trips.

What matters is that the story makes sense. A car averaging 20,000 miles a year should show wear on the seats, pedals and steering wheel to match. A car with very low miles should not have a shiny steering wheel and a worn driver's seat.

More readings with the full check

The free check uses MOT readings, so a car under four years old may have one reading or none. The full history check adds mileage from every recorded source, not just MOTs, which helps fill the gaps between tests. You can see how it is laid out in the sample report.

Every reading also feeds the Vettly Score. A drop of more than 100 miles costs 25 points, and averaging more than 15,000 miles a year costs 3.

Questions

Mileage check: common questions

How can I tell if a car has been clocked?
Check that the readings go up at every MOT: the free check flags any drop of more than 100 miles. Then look at the physical signs, such as wear on the steering wheel, pedals and driver's seat that does not match the mileage, and service records with figures that do not line up.
Can a mileage drop be innocent?
Yes. A tester can make a typing mistake, and a replaced instrument cluster can show a different figure. A genuine replacement should be documented with a garage invoice, so ask for proof before you buy.
What is normal mileage for a used car?
The UK average is about 7,000 miles a year, according to the Department for Transport. Multiply that by the car's age for a rough guide, but condition and service history matter more than the number alone.
Why are there only a few readings?
The free check uses MOT readings, usually one a year, and cars under three years old have not had an MOT yet. The full history check adds readings from other recorded sources.
What does an unreadable odometer mean?
Sometimes the tester records that the odometer could not be read. We leave those tests out of the timeline and tell you how many there were. One is not unusual, but several are worth asking about.

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