New data released by carVertical has revealed that the Nissan Qashqai is the most clocked car in Britain with 3.4% of all models checked in 2024 showing signs of having their mileage rolled back.
Odometer fraud, or car clocking, is when a car has its mileage readout intentionally reversed so that it looks like fewer miles have been covered in an attempt to increase the car’s value or escape excess mileage charges.
The data also reported other popular used car picks are are prime targets for odometer fraud. The Vauxhall Astra and Corsa both make an appearance in the top 10 most clocked vehicles. Premium models including the BMW 5 Series, Audi S3 and Audi A6 also feature in this top 10.
The 10 most clocked cars in the UK
| Rank | Make and model | Percentage found to be clocked |
| 1 | Nissan Qashqai | 3.4 |
| 2 | BMW 5 Series | 3.3 |
| 3 | Land Rover Defender | 3.0 |
| 4 | Audi A6 | 2.9 |
| 5 | Vauxhall Astra | 2.9 |
| 6 | Vauxhall Corsa | 2.6 |
| 7 | Volkswagen Passat | 2.4 |
| 8 | Audi S3 | 2.4 |
| 9 | Volkswagen Caddy | 2.3 |
| 10 | Nissan Juke | 2.2 |
The Volkwagen Caddy and Land Rover Defender had the highest average miles rolled back, with an eye-watering 104,723 and 76,580 miles respectively. carVertical did not give a sample size for these gigantic figures however.
With mileage fraud a clear issue in the UK, it’s imperative that if you’re buying a used car, you make sure to check the mileage recorded in accurate.
Matas Buzelis, carVertical’s head of communications and car market expert, said: ‘Proving odometer fraud remains a significant challenge, which unfortunately leaves many scammers feeling untouchable. With the UK used car market still vulnerable to mileage manipulation, it’s crucial for buyers to always check a vehicle’s history before making a purchase.’
How to know if a car has been clocked?
The best way to avoid buying a clocked car is to use a car history checker, like the Parkers car and vehicle history checker. This service uses a car’s Vehicle Registration Mark (VRM), more commonly known as the number plate, to check its history, including any mileage discrepancies.
The Parkers service is run via HPI and uses data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT), the police, The Association of British Insurers, as well as a boatload of finance firms to reveal the true status of a car.
A car and vehicle history checker will reveal any outstanding car finance, mileage discrepancies, whether the car is of interest to the police or has been declared an insurance write-off.
There are plenty of car checkers on the market, and we can proudly say that our service is the cheapest on the market. A bit salesy we know, but our model is the most affordable way to check a used car is legitimate.
Another way of tracking the mileage of a car is to look at the MOT history. Every time you get an MOT the mileage is logged. Check the mileage doesn’t decrease between MOTs, and be wary of small increments.
What’s the risk of buying a clocked car?
While a car’s mileage isn’t the only factor in determining the condition of a used car, it will play a part in its value. Higher-mileage cars will tend to have more wear and tear on the mechanical parts, and lower mileage cars attract a higher price. This extra value for a low mileage car is one of the key reasons clocking is so popular with criminals.
At the very least, you’ll be conned into paying over the market value of the car. Worst case scenario and you could unwittingly end up with a car with tired internals and in need of some serious work.
There’s also a risk if you unknowingly buy a clocked car when it comes time to sell. Despite having done nothing nefarious on your end, any prospective buyer who runs your car through a car history checker will immediately have the mileage flagged. That would leave you with a car with a red mark permanently affixed to it and a car that’s harder to sell and worth a lot less than it otherwise would be.
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