Buying a used car can be a good choice, but it also has some risks. What is one of the most common problems? Differences in mileage. A car’s miles shows how much it has been used and helps to understand its condition, maintenance requirements, and worth. Some buyers change the odometer reading to make a car look less used, which can result in surprise expenses down the road. Finding these mistakes early can save you both money and trouble.
Here are 8 great tools to help you spot number differences before buying a used car.
1. Motorscan
Motorscan is one of the most trusted platforms for a full vehicle history check. It gathers information from trusted sources like MOT records, insurance databases, and official car registration details. This helps you find errors in miles.
When you use Motorscan, you can see past miles from MOT tests, service records, and ownership details. If the number changes unpredictably instead of increasing steadily, that’s a warning sign. In order to give you a complete picture, Motorscan also assists with the MOT check, outstanding finance and accident records.
It’s easy: just type in the car registration number, and Motorscan will handle everything else. It’s quick, thorough, and dependable.
2. GOV.UK MOT History Checker
The GOV.UK MOT history checker is a free government tool. It gives a complete MOT history for any car registered in the UK. Enter the registration number to view MOT dates, results, and recorded miles.
This tool is excellent for finding differences in miles. Check for steady miles growth between MOT tests. If the mileage drops quickly or doesn’t match the car’s age, it might mean someone has changed it.
It’s a helpful tool for checking basic mileage, but it doesn’t provide details about other car history.
3. HPI Review
HPI Check is famous for its detailed car reports. A main function is checking mileage. HPI gathers information from MOT records, service history, and finance companies to create a thorough timeline of a vehicle’s mileage.
HPI checks show differences clearly. If the distance reported is different in various data sources, the report will alert you. Even though it’s a paid service, the price is low compared to the risks of getting a car with altered mileage.
It also includes details on stolen vehicles, unpaid loans, and vehicles that have been written off by insurance, offering more security.
4. Vehicle Check by AutoTrader
AutoTrader is more than just a website to look at cars. Their vehicle check tool offers basic information for free, but you can pay for a version that gives more thorough mileage checks.
It gathers information from various sources, which helps to identify differences. The report shows the miles for each MOT, service, and past sales. Check this data against the odometer number to find any differences.
If you use AutoTrader to look for cars, this tool is really handy.
5. Complete Car Inspection
Total Car Check provides free reports as well as paid ones. The free version gives you general MOT history, but you’ll need the premium report for detailed mileage information.
Total Car Check gathers information from MOT databases, insurance companies, and repair centres. This layered method helps you cross-reference data for inconsistencies. It’s cheap, simple to use, and provides fast results.
Besides mileage, it checks for outstanding finance, theft status, and accident history—making it a solid all-in-one choice.
6. Service History Records
The car’s service information is important for finding differences in mileage, even though it’s not an online tool. Always request the complete service book or digital service records. Check the miles taken during each service. Missing or inconsistent service records might indicate tampering.
Check for official stamps from authorised shops. If the car has low mileage but looks very worn out, that’s a warning sign. Check to see if the cars are there if you don’t know.
Checking the car’s service records along with online tools like Motorscan helps you trust the car’s mileage more.
7. OBD Diagnosis Tools
Modern cars come with onboard diagnostic devices (OBD). Mechanics use OBD tools to check the car’s electronic control unit (ECU), which sometimes keeps mileage information separate from the speedometer.
If the ECU number doesn’t match the odometer, there may be a problem. Even if you don’t have an OBD tool, many techs can do this check when they inspect a car before you buy it.
This method works really well for later cars with digital dashboards because it’s difficult to change the ECU data without leaving signs.
8. CarVeto
CarVeto provides quick and trustworthy checks for used cars. Their papers contain information about MOT history, service records, and mileage checks. A special feature is the ‘pass or veto’ suggestion, which helps you decide if the car is a good buy based on its history.
CarVeto uses reliable sources to help find differences in mileage. Their reports are clear, easy to understand, and inexpensive, making them great for buyers who need fast and trustworthy information.
Why Mileage is Important
Mileage is more than just a number. It impacts how much the car is worth, how often it needs repairs, and how dependable it is. Cars with a lot of miles usually have more damage, which means they cost more to fix.
Some buyers reduce the mileage on a car to make it look newer and raise the price. This fraud can cause surprise repairs, forgotten upkeep, and safety issues.
Knowing your miles helps you plan for future costs. For example, timing belts need to be replaced after a certain number of miles. If the mileage is incorrect, you could overlook important upkeep, which might lead to breakdowns.
Signs of Mileage Tampering:
Here are some actual signs that something has been tampered with, even with the help of tools:
- Worn pedals, steering wheel, or gear stick that don’t match the number
- Scratches around the clock or dashboard
- Inconsistent service background records.
- The car has very low mileage for how old it is.
Listen to your gut feelings. If something seems wrong, take a closer look.
Using Tools Together for Better Results
No tool is completely reliable. What is the best way to do this? Use different approaches together.
Begin with a free MOT check on the GOV.UK website. Please create a full report using Motorscan. Check the service records and, if you can, do an OBD diagnostic scan.
This step-by-step method helps find mistakes that others might overlook. Taking some time and possibly spending a little money at the start can help you avoid expensive mistakes later on.
Conclusion
Mileage differences are a big problem when buying used cars. Luckily, tools like Motorscan, HPI Check, and CarVeto make it easier than ever to find them.
Don’t just trust what the seller says. Always check with reliable sources. A vehicle history check is a small cost that can save you from serious issues later on.
When you’re unsure, rely on tools like Motorscan. They offer detailed reports, so you can feel secure and confident in your buy.
