CAR clocking remains a serious issue in the UK used car market, according to new data from diagnostics platform Carly that has revealed more than one in seven vehicles have been affected or had their Vehicle Identification Number altered,

Carly's analysis, based on more than 2,500,000 diagnostic sessions from more than 550,000 UK Carly users from January to September 2025, found that 16.25 per cent of UK cars checked using its tools displayed evidence of mileage fraud or identity discrepancies.

It means that nearly 15 per cent used cars on the road today may be concealing serious hidden issues, potentially leaving buyers vulnerable to overpaying or facing unexpected mechanical problems.

Dali Ati, head of internationalisation at Carly, said: "Mileage tampering can make a car appear newer and more valuable than it really is. But beneath the surface, it could be far more worn and that's where unexpected problems begin.

"We want drivers to feel informed and in control before they spend their money. A quick Carly scan, using the Carly Used Car Check, can uncover these hidden issues in just minutes. The scanner costs as little as £41, and these checks can save buyers thousands."

The data further reveals that odometer tampering is a nationwide problem.

While high-volume car markets like major cities and ports naturally see more activity due to the number of transactions, Carly's findings show no dramatic regional skew.

Buyers in the North of England are just as likely to encounter clocked vehicles as those in the South.

Using advanced digital diagnostics, Carly connects directly to a vehicle's internal systems via the on-board diagnostics port to compare mileage readings across multiple control units - helping to identify resets, inconsistencies, or VIN mismatches that would be difficult to detect by visual inspection alone.

With high new car pricescontinue to drive demand for second-hand vehicles, Carly is urging buyers to carry out digital checks before committing to any used car purchase - especially when dealing with private sellers or smaller dealerships.