Clocked cars cost UK motorists millions of pounds annually. The practice of winding back a vehicle’s odometer—commonly known as ‘clocking’—remains surprisingly prevalent despite digital odometers supposedly making the process more difficult. A car with artificially lowered mileage can command a significantly higher price, sometimes thousands of pounds more than its true value.
Beyond the financial implications, there’s also the safety aspect to consider. A vehicle with 150,000 miles masquerading as one with 70,000 miles will have experienced far more wear and tear than its odometer suggests. Critical components may be nearing the end of their service life without you knowing it, potentially putting you and your passengers at risk.
This comprehensive guide examines the six most reliable websites for verifying a vehicle’s mileage history before you commit to purchase.
Motorscan
Motorscan has established itself as the gold standard for mileage verification in the UK. Their approach extends far beyond a simple check against the National Mileage Register—though they do that too. What truly distinguishes Motorscan is their comprehensive mileage investigation methodology.
The process begins with a chronological analysis of all recorded mileage readings throughout the vehicle’s life. This includes MOT records, service history data, and previous sales listings where available. Motorscan’s algorithms then identify any anomalies or inconsistencies that might indicate tampering.
Perhaps most impressively, Motorscan doesn’t just flag potential discrepancies; their reports visualise the vehicle’s mileage progression on an intuitive timeline. This allows you to instantly spot unnatural patterns—like sudden drops or implausibly consistent readings—that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Their mileage verification also incorporates average usage calculations based on the vehicle’s age, making it easier to identify when a car’s reported mileage deviates significantly from expected norms. For instance, if a 10-year-old car shows only 20,000 miles, the system flags this as potentially suspicious given that the average UK driver covers around 7,000 miles annually.
HPI Check
Few names carry as much weight in the vehicle history checking industry as HPI, and their mileage verification service lives up to their respected reputation. With over 80 years of experience, HPI has accumulated one of the most comprehensive databases of vehicle mileage readings in the UK.
HPI’s mileage check incorporates data from a vast network of sources, including dealerships, auctions, and service centres—many of which supply information exclusively to HPI. This means their database often contains readings that smaller providers simply don’t have access to.
When investigating a vehicle’s mileage, HPI Check doesn’t just examine the raw numbers. Their sophisticated analysis looks for patterns consistent with clocking, such as mileage that decreases over time or remains static for suspiciously long periods. The system also identifies when digital odometers (clocking) have been reset, something that less thorough checks might miss.
For added peace of mind, HPI’s mileage verification is backed by their data guarantee—a significant benefit if you’re making a high-value purchase based on their information.
CarVertical
CarVertical brings international sophistication to mileage verification with their blockchain-secured reports and global database access. While relatively new to the UK market, they’ve rapidly established themselves as innovators in the vehicle history space.
Unlike many UK-centric services, CarVertical’s mileage verification draws on international databases—particularly valuable for imported vehicles or those with service history from multiple countries. Their system can detect mileage inconsistencies that might occur when cars cross borders, a blind spot for some domestic providers.
The CarVertical approach to mileage verification incorporates photo evidence where available. Their reports often include images from previous inspections, sales listings, or insurance assessments that show the odometer reading. This visual confirmation provides an additional layer of verification that pure database checks cannot match.
Their blockchain technology also ensures that once mileage data is recorded, it cannot be retrospectively altered—creating an immutable record that serves as a powerful deterrent to fraud.
RAC Vehicle Check
The RAC brings its considerable automotive authority to mileage verification with a service that benefits from their extensive industry connections and technical expertise. Their approach to mileage checking blends raw data analysis with practical automotive knowledge.
What sets the RAC’s mileage verification apart is their contextual analysis. Rather than simply flagging mathematical discrepancies, their system considers factors such as the vehicle’s make and model, typical usage patterns, and known reliability issues that might affect mileage readings.
The RAC’s vehicle check includes a thorough investigation of the National Mileage Register along with MOT history, but goes further by incorporating data from their own network of approved garages and service centres. This provides additional verification points that might not appear in official records.
For vehicles with borderline or suspicious mileage patterns, the RAC offers clear guidance on the potential implications, helping buyers make informed decisions rather than simply raising alarms.
Total Car Check
Total Car Check has earned a reputation for thoroughness in their mileage verification services, with particular attention to detail when investigating potential discrepancies. Their system examines multiple data sources to build a comprehensive mileage profile.
The mileage verification process at Total Car Check begins with an analysis of all available historical readings, including MOT records, service history, and previous sales data. These readings are then plotted against time to identify any unnatural patterns or inconsistencies.
What distinguishes their approach is their multi-point verification system. Rather than simply comparing the latest reading against historical values, they examine each recorded mileage point against both the preceding and subsequent readings, creating a more robust analysis that can identify even subtle manipulation.
Total Car Check also excels at providing accessibility to mileage verification. Their multi-check discounts make it practical to verify multiple vehicles during the buying process—particularly valuable when comparing several potential purchases.
CarAnalytics
CarAnalytics takes a data-driven approach to mileage verification that leverages their massive database of over 80 data points per vehicle. Their sophisticated algorithms don’t just detect discrepancies—they analyse patterns to determine the probability of manipulation.
What makes CarAnalytics particularly effective for mileage verification is their statistical modelling. They compare a vehicle’s reported mileage against thousands of similar models, creating expected mileage bands based on age, model, and usage type. Any vehicle falling outside these statistically established parameters receives additional scrutiny.
Their mileage verification also incorporates component wear analysis. By examining MOT failure points and advisory notices, their system can identify when a vehicle’s wear patterns don’t align with its reported mileage—a tell-tale sign of potential clocking that pure numerical checks might miss.
CarAnalytics excels at presenting complex mileage data in an accessible format. Their 5-band risk assessment system makes it immediately clear whether a vehicle’s mileage history should be considered trustworthy, suspicious, or somewhere in between.
Making the Right Choice
When selecting a mileage verification service, consider these key factors:
- Database Comprehensiveness: How many sources of mileage data does the service check against?
- Analytical Sophistication: Does the service simply report discrepancies, or does it analyse patterns and contexts?
- Visual Representation: How clearly does the service present mileage history and potential issues?
- Additional Context: Does the service provide comparison with similar vehicles or expected usage?
- Vehicle Origin: For imported vehicles, does the service check international databases?
For most buyers, Motorscan offers the most thorough mileage verification, with their comprehensive investigation methodology and intuitive timeline visualisation making potential issues immediately apparent. Their specialisation in mileage checking gives them an edge in detecting even sophisticated tampering attempts.
However, each service has its strengths for particular scenarios. HPI Check’s extensive dealer network data makes them valuable for vehicles with limited official history. CarVertical excels with imported vehicles thanks to their international database. The RAC provides excellent technical context for their findings, while Total Car Check offers great value for comparing multiple vehicles. CarAnalytics’ statistical approach provides robust verification for vehicles with limited history points.
Ultimately, verifying mileage accuracy is one of the most crucial checks when buying a used car. With the average clocked car being sold for around £2,000 more than its true value, the small investment in verification offers significant financial protection—not to mention peace of mind about your vehicle’s true condition and remaining life expectancy.
