Mileage checks: what to look for
Recorded mileage helps build a picture of a car’s history, but an MOT entry alone cannot prove the odometer is accurate.
Updated 20 October 2026 · UK used-car guidance
Read the readings in date order
Start with the earliest available MOT reading and move towards the latest. Mileage usually increases over time. A sharp decrease is worth investigating, but it can be caused by an input mistake, a replacement instrument cluster or a unit conversion.
Watch out for duplicate test dates
A failed MOT followed by a retest can create several entries close together. Compare dates and values before drawing conclusions. Very small differences on the same day may be normal.
Low mileage is not automatically better
A car with few miles can still have wear from short trips, long periods standing or missed maintenance. Compare age, service intervals, condition, tyres and paperwork rather than judging the number alone.
Questions to ask the seller
- Can you show service invoices and previous MOT certificates?
- Has the odometer or instrument cluster ever been replaced?
- Can the seller explain any sudden change in recorded mileage?
- Does the current dashboard reading match the advert and documents?
Important: CarMOTX highlights changes in recorded MOT mileage. It cannot certify a vehicle's true mileage or detect every odometer adjustment.