A clocked car has had its mileage reading wound back so it looks less used and sells for more. It is illegal to sell a car with a false mileage, but modern digital dashboards can still be altered with the right equipment. Here is how to spot the signs.
Check the recorded mileage first
Every MOT test records the mileage, and that record can't be changed afterwards. If a later reading is lower than an earlier one, something is wrong. Our free check runs a mileage anomaly check on all the MOT readings, and the full report adds mileage recorded by dealers and insurers. Our mileage anomaly guide explains the results.
Also compare the last recorded reading with what is on the dashboard: if the MOT a year ago recorded 80,000 miles and the car now shows 60,000, walk away.
Physical signs that don't match the mileage
- Steering wheel: a shiny, worn rim on a car that claims low miles.
- Gear knob and handbrake: worn smooth or with the markings rubbed off.
- Pedal rubbers: worn through, or brand new on a car that should have its original ones.
- Driver's seat: a worn or saggy side bolster, or a seat cover hiding it.
- Carpets and door handles: worn patches where the driver's heel rests or the hand pulls.
- Stone chips: lots of chips on the bonnet and front bumper point to many motorway miles.
Paperwork clues
- Service history: check the mileage at each service goes up steadily. Missing years or a history that stops are worth asking about.
- Old MOT certificates and invoices: they often record the mileage too.
- Service stickers: an oil-change sticker in the engine bay or on the windscreen may show a higher mileage than the dashboard.
When a lower reading is innocent
Not every anomaly is fraud. A tester may mistype a reading, or a replaced instrument cluster can start from a different figure. If there's a genuine reason, the seller should have paperwork: the invoice for the replacement dashboard showing the mileage at the time.
What to do if you suspect clocking
Don't buy the car. If you bought it from a trader and later discover the mileage was false, contact Citizens Advice, who can refer it to Trading Standards.
Key points
- Recorded MOT mileage can't be changed: check it goes up every year.
- Look for wear that doesn't match the mileage on the dashboard.
- Ask for evidence of any genuine mileage change before you pay. See our list of common used car scams.
A car mileage check is the quickest first step. Our free mileage history check puts every MOT reading in date order and flags any reading lower than an earlier one, so you can check the mileage history of a car before you view it.