Quick Answer
The main signs a car has been clocked are: mileage that drops or jumps between MOT records, physical wear that doesn't match the reading (worn pedals, shiny steering wheel), a suspiciously low mileage for the age, and service history gaps. An MOT mileage check confirms it.
The warning signs
- Mileage that decreases or jumps oddly across MOT records
- Worn pedal rubbers, steering wheel or gear knob on a 'low-mileage' car
- A driver's seat that's sagging or heavily worn
- Missing or inconsistent service history
- Mileage far below average for the car's age (average is ~7,000–10,000 miles a year)
- A replacement dashboard or odometer
How to confirm it
Physical signs raise suspicion, but the MOT mileage record proves it. Every test since 2005 logs the mileage, so listing those readings in date order will expose any reading that fell or leapt unrealistically. A vehicle history check does this automatically and cross-references a national mileage database.
Check a car for clocking
Cross-check mileage against national records and every MOT reading — check any reg.
Check a car for clockingFrequently Asked Questions
Why do people clock cars?
To inflate the value or to avoid excess-mileage charges on finance and leasing deals. A lower reading can add hundreds or thousands to a car's apparent worth, which is why it's a common fraud.
Can clocking be undone?
The true mileage can't be restored on the odometer, but the genuine history is preserved in the MOT record and mileage databases, so the real figure can still be traced.