Check a vehicle’s mileage properly before you buy
Mileage is one of the most important indicators of a vehicle’s value, reliability and mechanical condition. It is also one of the most manipulated data points in the used car market. A proper mileage check helps you confirm whether the odometer reading is consistent with official records, highlights discrepancies that may need explaining and gives you a clearer picture of real-world wear and tear.
Rapid Car Check uses recorded MOT mileage history and additional analysis including average annual mileage and mileage anomaly detection. Mileage signals are then used to support purchase risk scoring, reliability insight and forecasting features across the check range.
Where UK mileage data comes from
In the UK, recorded mileage history comes primarily from MOT test records. At every MOT test, the odometer reading is recorded and stored in the official DVSA database. Digital MOT records typically go back to 2005. Each record includes the test date, pass or fail result, recorded mileage and advisory or defect notes.
This creates a mileage timeline for most vehicles. However, a basic MOT lookup only shows the numbers. It does not interpret mileage behaviour across time. That interpretation is what helps you spot patterns, anomalies and risk signals more reliably.
How many vehicles have mileage issues?
In a sample test of 12,300 unique vehicle registrations, 797 showed mileage issues. This indicates that approximately 6.47% of the vehicles examined had discrepancies in their mileage records.
To estimate the potential scale across the UK, we can apply that 6.47% discrepancy rate to the UK vehicle population. As of December 2018, there were approximately 38.2 million vehicles in the UK. Applying 6.47% to 38.2 million suggests an estimated 2.47 million vehicles in the UK may have mileage inconsistencies. These figures are estimates based on the test conducted and should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.
How was this data collected?
Before the tool’s release, a comprehensive test was conducted in June 2019. A total of 12,300 unique and randomly selected vehicle registration plates were processed to gather the statistics above.
What is a mileage check?
A mileage check verifies that a vehicle’s current odometer reading aligns with its historical records. A proper mileage check should do more than display past mileage entries. It should help you interpret usage patterns across time and identify irregularities that may indicate errors, missing history or potential tampering.
What a proper mileage check should include
- Recorded MOT mileage history
- Average annual mileage calculation
- Mileage anomaly detection
- Trend interpretation across years
- Risk interpretation using mileage signals
- Wear forecasting based on age and mileage
- Maintenance cost prediction
Why mileage matters
Mileage affects market value
Mileage is one of the strongest price drivers in the used car market. Lower mileage examples often command a premium, while higher mileage examples are typically discounted. That premium is only justified if mileage is genuine and consistent with official records.
Mileage affects wear and maintenance costs
Mileage correlates with wear across key components including suspension, steering, brakes, tyres and drivetrain systems. Higher mileage can mean higher maintenance costs, but a well maintained high mileage vehicle with consistent records can still be a strong buy. Consistency matters more than the absolute number.
Mileage affects reliability patterns
Mileage interacts with ownership patterns, MOT advisories and model-specific weak points. When combined properly, this supports more useful reliability insight and practical guidance on what to inspect first.
What is car clocking?
Car clocking is the illegal practice of rolling back a vehicle’s odometer to make it appear less used and more valuable. It can inflate the sale price, hide mechanical wear and increase the risk of unexpected repairs. Even modern digital odometers can be altered using specialist tools.
Common warning signs
- Mileage decreasing between MOT tests
- Unusually low annual mileage growth over several years
- Large mileage jumps inconsistent with prior usage
- Interior wear inconsistent with recorded mileage
- Gaps in service history or missing supporting documentation
- Pricing that appears unusually low compared with similar vehicles
What is mileage anomaly detection?
Mileage anomaly detection identifies irregular patterns that may need explaining. Some anomalies are caused by recording errors, some are caused by odometer replacement and some may indicate tampering. The key is to identify the pattern early and ask the right questions before you commit to purchase.
Decreasing mileage
If recorded mileage drops between MOT tests, this can indicate an error, an odometer replacement or potential rollback. Any unexplained decrease should be treated as a serious prompt for further checks.
Flat growth
Minimal mileage increase across multiple years may indicate limited use, storage, incorrect entry or manipulation. The wider context matters, including MOT advisories and ownership patterns.
Large sudden jumps
Large increases may reflect a change in usage such as commercial driving or long-distance commuting. They can also reflect recording errors. Trend patterns across multiple tests help clarify what is more likely.
What is average UK annual mileage?
Typical UK annual mileage is often around 7,000 to 10,000 miles per year. However, this varies significantly based on location, commuting patterns and whether a vehicle has been used privately or commercially. Rapid Car Check calculates average annual mileage so you can compare usage against age-based expectations.
What you get in the Free Mileage Check
The Free Check provides more than a basic mileage list. It includes recorded MOT mileage history and interpretation features that help you understand what the numbers mean for buying risk and ownership costs.
- Recorded mileage history
- Average annual mileage
- Mileage anomaly detection
- Purchase risk score
- MOT failure probability and likely issues
- Reliability rating based on ownership patterns
- Wear and tear forecasting based on age and mileage
- Maintenance cost prediction for the next 12 months
- Known weak points unique to the make and model
- First 30 day ownership checklist
- What to inspect first based on weak points
If you want deeper valuation precision and higher certainty, you can upgrade to paid checks on the pricing page. The Complete Check adds mileage adjusted valuation and additional data sources that strengthen confidence.
When to upgrade your mileage check
Start with the Free Check to screen a vehicle quickly. Consider upgrading if the vehicle is high value, mileage appears unusually low, the price looks too good to be true or you want valuation accuracy driven by real usage.
Value Check
Adds broader vehicle signals that provide more context around mileage, including import and export history, scrapped status, taxi or private hire usage and additional identity confirmation features.
Standard Check
Integrates mileage into deeper risk modelling with a stronger purchase confidence indicator and richer MyCarMate analysis based on expanded datasets.
Complete Check
Adds mileage adjusted valuation for more realistic pricing and the strongest overall purchase confidence indicator, plus additional Experian-backed and category-specific signals that reduce buying risk.
Physical checks you should do alongside mileage history
Digital checks should always be supported by a physical inspection and documentation review. Look for consistency between wear and recorded mileage.
- Service history and invoice evidence
- Steering wheel texture and shine
- Seat bolster wear and sagging
- Pedal rubber wear
- Brake disc wear patterns
- Tyre condition and age codes
- Clutch bite point and gearbox behaviour on test drive
Mileage check FAQ
What is a mileage check?
A mileage check verifies recorded odometer readings using official MOT history data to confirm whether a seller’s mileage claim aligns with historical records.
Where does UK mileage data come from?
Mileage is recorded at every MOT test and stored in the official DVSA database. Digital records typically go back to 2005.
How common are mileage discrepancies?
In a sample of 12,300 vehicles, 6.47% showed mileage discrepancies. Applied to a wider vehicle population, this suggests that mileage inconsistencies may affect millions of vehicles, but the national figure is an estimate based on that sample.
What is mileage anomaly detection?
Mileage anomaly detection identifies unusual patterns such as decreasing mileage, minimal growth across years or sudden jumps inconsistent with prior usage.
Does high mileage always mean a bad car?
No. A well maintained high mileage vehicle with consistent records can be lower risk than a low mileage vehicle with irregular history. Consistency matters more than the absolute number.
Can mileage be legally corrected?
Yes, for example if an odometer is replaced. However, it should be properly documented. Undeclared rollback intended to mislead a buyer is illegal.
What is mileage adjusted valuation?
Mileage adjusted valuation reflects a vehicle’s market value based on its recorded mileage rather than age alone. This feature is included in the Complete Check.
Is the Free Mileage Check enough before buying?
For initial screening, yes. The Free Check includes recorded mileage history, average annual mileage and anomaly detection, plus risk and forecasting features. For higher value purchases or irregular history, upgrading improves valuation accuracy and certainty.