Why Car Clocking Matters – Even If You Never Sell Your Car

“I’m going to keep it for years, so the mileage doesn’t really matter!”

It’s an understandable thought. If you aren’t planning to sell your car, its future resale value might sit well down your list of priorities.

But misleading mileage can affect you long before you put an advert online, as it can change what you pay, how you plan maintenance and what you understand about the car’s condition.

That’s why, as part of Honestly, Finally, Cazoo is campaigning to tackle car clocking. You deserve a clear picture of what you’re buying - and accurate mileage matters throughout ownership, not just when it’s time to sell.

You could pay more than the car is worth

Mileage is one of the factors that influences a used car’s price, alongside its age, condition, specification and service history.

Reducing the displayed mileage can make a car appear less used and justify a higher asking price than its true history supports. That means, paying a low-mileage premium without getting a genuinely low-mileage car. How frustrating!

Keeping it for 10 years doesn’t undo that extra cost at the point of purchase; you still deserve accurate information when deciding whether the price is fair.

It can put your maintenance plans out of step

Some maintenance is due at mileage intervals, some is due after a set time and some uses a combination of the two. The right schedule depends on the car and its manufacturer’s guidance.

So, if the displayed mileage is lower than the distance actually covered, you could wrongly believe a mileage-based job is still a long way off.

Imagine a car showing 60,000 miles when it has actually covered 100,000. If a particular maintenance task was due at 90,000 miles, the dashboard might suggest you have plenty of time. But the car’s real history could tell a different story.

Of course, make sure to check the car’s manufacturer schedule and evidence of work already completed - rather than relying on the odometer alone.

You may underestimate wear

Mileage doesn’t tell you everything about a car’s condition. A well-maintained car that has covered long motorway journeys can be a sound buy.

However, hiding miles removes useful information about how much use a vehicle has had. That can make it harder to judge whether its condition fits the asking price or to budget for repairs and replacement parts.

A clocked reading doesn’t automatically mean a car is unsafe or about to break down - the problem is that you’re making decisions with an incomplete picture.

Electric cars aren’t exempt

Electric cars can have their mileage altered, too. A digital display doesn’t make a reading tamper-proof!

When buying a used EV, look at its history and condition, just like you would any other type of car, and also look for its available battery health information alongside the displayed mileage. Mileage along won’t tell you how healthy the battery is.

Indeed, the same principle applies whichever car you choose - check the evidence supporting the number.

“I’ll run it into the ground” isn’t always the plan forever

Even if you intend to keep a car for years, circumstances can change. You might need something bigger, start a different commute or decide to switch to electric.

If you later discover its mileage is unreliable, it could complicate a sale or part-exchange. Keeping accurate service and maintenance records helps preserve the information you and a potential future buyer need.

Check its past before planning your future

Before buying, compare the advertised mileage with MOT records, service history and the car’s condition. Ask the dealer to explain anything that doesn’t fit.

On Cazoo website listings where MOT history is available, the mile-over-time chart can help you see the recorded readings at a glance. You can check the latest official MOT record on GOV.UK.

Remember, a mileage inconsistency is a reason to investigate - not proof of clocking. Recording errors can happen and a clear explanation should come with evidence.

You don’t have to chase the lowest mileage to find the right used car for you. You need a car whose history you can understand, so you can buy it and look after it with confidence.

Our clocking campaign brings that Honestly, Finally promise into focus - calling for change to tackle mileage fraud, while helping buyers explore a car’s recorded MOT history and ask informed questions before committing.