Check Mileage History

Check if a vehicle has been clocked

To check if a vehicle has been clocked (i.e., if its mileage has been tampered with or reduced to make it appear less used than it actually is), you can follow several steps. A clocked vehicle can be misleading in terms of its condition, value, and future repair costs, so detecting it is crucial when buying a used car. Here are the main ways to check:

Check the Vehicle History Report

Online vehicle history check: Use our services on Car Free Check to check mileage past mileage readings from inspections, services from MOT. Any discrepancies in mileage readings may indicate that the car has been clocked. The information we display is directly sourced from DVLA.

Check the Service History

• Look for official service stamps: A genuine service history will show a continuous record of the car's mileage over time. If the vehicle has been serviced regularly, its mileage should increase steadily. Check if there are large gaps in the history or missing records, which could indicate tampering.


• Independent garages or dealer records: If the car has been serviced at the manufacturer's dealership, the service center may have a digital record of its mileage. Even independent garages may keep records of past mileage, which you can request if needed.

Inspect the Vehicle Condition

Wear and tear vs. mileage: Compare the condition of the car's interior, exterior, and engine with the stated mileage. Look for:

• Worn pedals, steering wheel, or seats: These items show wear with use. If a car shows significant wear but has low mileage, it could be a sign of clocking.


• Condition of tires: Tires usually last about 20,000 to 30,000 miles. If the tires look very worn but the car has low mileage, this might suggest clocking.


• Engine condition: Excessive wear in the engine (e.g., oil leaks, worn belts, or hoses) could indicate higher mileage than the odometer suggests.

Digital Mileage Analysis (Diagnostic Tools)

• Use an OBD2 scanner: Modern vehicles store mileage data in various control units, such as the Engine Control Unit (ECU). A professional diagnostic tool (an OBD2 scanner) can read the ECU's data and reveal if the mileage has been altered. Some vehicle systems record mileage separately from the dashboard odometer.


• Professional mechanic check: If you're unsure how to use an OBD2 tool, a professional mechanic or dealership can use specialized diagnostic equipment to check if the mileage is consistent with the data in the car’s systems.

Compare the Odometer Type

Digital vs. mechanical odometers: Modern cars use digital odometers, which are harder to tamper with, but not impossible. If the car has a mechanical odometer (in older vehicles), look for signs of tampering, such as misaligned digits, scratches, or loose parts around the display.

Mileage Verification Services

Mileage specialists: In some regions, there are companies that specialize in verifying the mileage of vehicles. They can carry out checks to determine whether the car has been clocked by comparing different data sources and using forensic techniques.

Ask the Seller Directly

Ask for proof: Request the seller to provide documents that verify the vehicle’s mileage, such as service records, previous MOT certificates, or repair bills. Be wary if the seller is hesitant to provide this information or if the records seem inconsistent.

Check the Previous Owner

Contact previous owners: If the vehicle has had multiple owners, you can try contacting the previous owner(s) to ask about the mileage when they sold the car. If the vehicle’s mileage has decreased since they sold it, this is a red flag.

Warning Signs of a Clocked Vehicle

• Unusually low price: If the vehicle is priced significantly lower than market value for its age and condition, it may have been clocked.


• No service history: A missing or incomplete service history could indicate the car’s mileage was altered at some point.


• Unusual mileage trends: Look for sudden drops in mileage between inspections, which suggests tampering.

By combining these methods, you can get a more accurate understanding of whether a vehicle’s mileage has been tampered with and avoid buying a clocked car.