Mileage Check
Clocking — winding back the odometer to inflate a car's value — is one of the oldest tricks in the used-car trade and remains widespread. The good news is that it is also one of the easiest frauds to detect, because every MOT test records mileage independently. RegRadar pulls every recorded reading and flags inconsistencies automatically.
How clocking works
Modern digital odometers are not tamper-proof. Cheap OBD tools sold online can wind back most cars in minutes. A car driven 120,000 motorway miles can be presented as a 'low-mileage example' at 50,000 miles — and command a price premium of several thousand pounds.
Why MOT mileage is the gold standard
Every MOT test in the UK records the dashboard mileage at the moment of the test. The figure is logged against the registration plate by the DVSA and cannot be altered after the fact. RegRadar charts every reading on a timeline so out-of-pattern jumps or drops are obvious.
Beyond MOT readings
The premium report adds dealer-network mileage records (every time a franchised dealer services or sells a car they record the mileage) and historical online advert data (the mileage advertised when the car was previously listed for sale). A car shown for sale in 2022 at 90,000 miles and re-listed today at 60,000 miles is clocked.
What a clean mileage history looks like
Steady, consistent year-on-year increases of 6,000–15,000 miles for typical UK use, no decreases, no suspicious flat periods, and consistent figures across MOT, service and advert sources. That is what the RegRadar mileage section shows you on a single page.
What to do if mileage is suspicious
Confirm the MOT readings on gov.uk independently. Ask the seller to explain any anomalies in writing. If the explanation doesn't hold up — or if the car physically shows wear inconsistent with the displayed mileage (worn pedals, sagging seat bolsters, polished steering wheel) — walk away.
Frequently asked questions
Is the mileage check free?
MOT mileage history is in the free check. The clocking detection (cross-referencing dealer-network and advert mileage) is in the £9.99 premium report.
Can mileage genuinely go down?
Almost never. The only legitimate reasons are an odometer replacement (which should be documented in writing by the garage that did the work) or a manufacturer error on a brand-new car.
What's the law on clocking?
Selling a car with a misrepresented mileage is fraud under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Trading Standards investigate cases, and convictions carry custodial sentences for serial offenders.