MOT guides
Mileage discrepancies and clocking
Every MOT records the odometer reading — which makes clocking easier to spot than ever. Here is what to look for.
What a discrepancy looks like
A genuine mileage history rises steadily. Warning signs include a reading that falls between tests, a sudden jump far above the typical annual mileage, or a long gap with no recorded test. Some are honest recording errors; others indicate clocking or a hidden write-off period.
How MOTIntel helps
Our free vehicle check plots every recorded MOT mileage so you can see the progression at a glance, and flags readings that look inconsistent. Combined with the next-MOT risk estimate, it gives you a clear picture before you commit.
Mileage and MOT failure
Higher-mileage cars do fail MOTs more often — see MOT failure rate by mileage — so a suspiciously low reading on an older car deserves extra scrutiny.
Check any UK reg free for its full MOT history plus a statistical next-MOT failure-risk estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Check the recorded MOT mileage history for any reading that drops, or jumps implausibly between tests. Our free check plots this for you.
Selling a clocked car without disclosing it is illegal. Adjusting an odometer is not illegal in itself, but misrepresenting the mileage to a buyer is fraud.