The short answer: a basic mileage check is free, and a full vehicle history check that includes mileage usually costs somewhere between about £5 and £20 in the UK. Prices vary by provider and change over time, so treat those figures as a typical range rather than a fixed rate.
Which option makes sense depends on how much you are spending on the car and how much risk you are comfortable with. Below we explain what each level covers and what a mileage check can and cannot tell you.
What a free mileage check looks like
Every MOT test records the odometer reading, and that history is publicly available at no cost through the government's MOT history service, which uses DVSA data. You only need the registration number. You can see each past test, the recorded mileage, and any advisories or failures.
This is a genuinely useful starting point. If the readings climb steadily year after year, that is a good sign. If a reading suddenly drops, stays suspiciously flat, or jumps oddly, you have a reason to ask questions.
The free route has limits, though:
- It only shows mileage at MOT time, usually once a year.
- Cars under three years old normally have no MOT yet, so there may be no readings at all.
- It does not tell you about outstanding finance, insurance write-offs or a stolen marker.
What you pay for in a full vehicle history check
Paid reports normally bundle several checks together. The mileage element is often just one part of a wider package. Prices from around £5 up to about £20 are common, and some providers charge more for extra-detailed reports or sell discounted multi-check bundles.
A typical paid report may include:
- Mileage history: past recorded readings drawn from MOT data and, in some reports, other industry sources, with a flag if something looks inconsistent.
- Insurance write-off (MIAFTR) status: whether the car has been recorded as Cat A, B, S or N.
- Stolen marker: whether the vehicle is recorded as stolen on the Police National Computer (PNC).
- Outstanding finance: whether a finance company may still have an interest in the car.
- Previous keepers: how many owners the car has had and when the keeper last changed.
For most buyers, paying a modest amount for a combined report is better value than buying a mileage check alone, because mileage problems often sit alongside other issues such as a write-off history.
Is it worth paying for a mileage check?
If you are spending a few thousand pounds or more, a few pounds for a report is small compared with the cost of discovering a problem after purchase. Clocking, where the odometer is wound back to make a car look less used, can reduce a car's real value significantly and hide wear that affects reliability.
That said, no check is a guarantee. Reports rely on data that has been recorded, so a car with few or no readings may not reveal much. Treat the report as one piece of evidence, not a verdict.
How to spot a possible clocked car yourself
Even with a report in hand, look at the car. Compare the displayed mileage with its physical condition:
- Heavily worn pedals, steering wheel, gear knob or driver's seat on a supposedly low-mileage car.
- Service book stamps, invoices and old MOT certificates that do not match the odometer.
- A mileage that is lower than a previous MOT or service reading.
- A seller who is vague about the history or reluctant to let you check the paperwork.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Review the free MOT history first and note any gaps or drops.
- Run a full history check for finance, write-off, stolen and keeper information.
- Match the paperwork (V5C logbook, service history) to the report.
- Ask the seller to explain anything that does not add up.
- Consider an independent inspection if the car is expensive or the story is unclear.
Where to run your check
If you have a car in mind, you can enter its registration on motorpeek.com to see what a vehicle history check shows before you commit. Motorpeek is an independent service and is not affiliated with the DVLA, DVSA or any government body.
The bottom line
Start with the free MOT mileage history, which costs nothing and shows readings from each test. If you are serious about the car, a full history check at roughly £5 to £20 adds the other checks that matter, including write-off category, stolen marker, outstanding finance and previous keepers. Combine the data with a careful look at the car and its paperwork, and you will be in a much stronger position to avoid an expensive surprise.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free way to check a car's mileage in the UK?
Yes. The government's MOT history service, which uses DVSA data, shows the odometer reading recorded at each MOT test for free. You just need the registration number. It only covers readings taken at MOT time, so newer cars without an MOT will have no readings.
How much does a full vehicle history check with mileage cost?
Prices typically range from about £5 to £20, depending on the provider and how detailed the report is. These usually bundle mileage with write-off (MIAFTR) status, stolen marker, outstanding finance and keeper information. Check what is included before you pay.
Can a mileage check prove a car has not been clocked?
No check can guarantee that. A mileage check can flag inconsistencies, such as a reading that drops or a suspicious gap, but it relies on recorded data. It is best to combine it with a physical inspection and a review of the service history and paperwork.