UKVEC · FREE RECORDED MILEAGE CHECK

Free car mileage check by registration

Enter a UK registration to review available MOT odometer readings. Compare the history with the car's current display and service invoices before deciding whether the advertised mileage makes sense.

Free first lookNo account requiredFull buyer report £5.99

Free first look · No account required

WHAT TO CHECK

How to check a car's mileage before buying

A mileage check shows recorded readings, not a certified total distance. Use dates and units as well as the numbers, and investigate unexplained differences before paying a deposit.

1. Match the vehicle

Check that the registration and vehicle details match the advert. At the viewing, compare the VIN and paperwork with the car itself.

2. Read the timeline

Compare each available MOT date and odometer reading. Note whether the reading is in miles or kilometres before comparing it with another record.

3. Compare the current display

Ask for a recent odometer photo and check it at the viewing. Compare it with the latest MOT reading and the mileage stated in the advert.

4. Verify service evidence

Look at dated garage invoices and service entries. Ask for documentary evidence of a replacement instrument cluster or a corrected test entry.

Mileage discrepancy examples: what the numbers can mean

These illustrative examples show questions to investigate; none establishes clocking by itself.

2024: 62,100 miles; 2025: 48,200 miles. A falling reading needs an explanation supported by records. Check for an entry error or instrument replacement.
2024: 62,100 miles; 2025: 62,400 miles. Low use may be genuine. Compare the seller's account with service dates, storage and ownership history.
One record: 80,000 kilometres; another: 50,000 miles. Different units can make a valid sequence appear inconsistent. Compare like with like.
Latest MOT: 91,000 miles; advert: 71,000 miles. Ask the seller to resolve the conflict before travelling or sending a deposit.

What a free MOT mileage check cannot prove

A steadily rising timeline does not guarantee genuine mileage. Changes between recorded tests may not be visible. Vehicles without available MOT records, including some newer or imported vehicles, may have gaps. Missing records are not confirmation that the odometer is correct.

MOT records are not a complete service history.
An odometer reading does not verify mechanical condition or remaining component life.
Finance, stolen and insurance write-off markers require separate provenance checks.

What to ask the seller when mileage does not match

Ask which record is incorrect, why it differs, and what independent documents support the explanation. Request dated service invoices and any instrument-replacement documentation. If the evidence remains inconsistent, pause the purchase and seek an independent inspection.

FREE VS FULL

Start free. Go deeper only when the car is worth pursuing.

Free UKVEC first look

Vehicle identity details
MOT status and history
Recorded mileage signals

Full UKVEC Report — £5.99

Outstanding finance markers
Stolen markers
Insurance write-off markers
Buyer-focused provenance review

Missing supplier data is shown as unavailable rather than treated as a clean result. UKVEC is a data-based buyer aid, not a mechanical inspection or guarantee of vehicle condition.

BUYER ACTION

Check the vehicle before money changes hands

Start with the free UKVEC first look. If the vehicle is worth pursuing, unlock the £5.99 Full UKVEC Report for licensed provenance checks where supplied by the provider.

Free first lookNo account requiredFull buyer report £5.99

COMMON QUESTIONS

Buyer FAQs

Is a car mileage check free?

UKVEC's free first look includes available MOT and recorded mileage information by registration. No account is required. It does not certify genuine mileage or include every provenance check.

Can I check mileage using a number plate?

Yes. Enter the registration to review the available MOT odometer records, then compare those readings with the current display, advert and service paperwork.

Does a lower MOT reading prove a car is clocked?

No. It can indicate a serious discrepancy, but entry errors, different units or an instrument replacement also need investigating. Review supporting documents before drawing a conclusion.

Why is there no mileage history for a vehicle?

Available MOT records may be limited or absent. The vehicle's age, import history or record availability can affect the timeline. No records does not mean verified mileage.

Does the paid report guarantee mileage?

No. The £5.99 Full UKVEC Report adds licensed provenance checks where supplied, such as finance, stolen and insurance write-off markers. It is not a guarantee of genuine mileage or vehicle condition.

INDEPENDENT CHECKS