CarVertical, a vehicle history platform, reports that 3% of used electric vehicles checked between January 2024 and March 2026 showed evidence of odometer tampering, a rate higher than petrol , diesel, or hybrid cars. the trend is fueled by the popularity of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) finance agreements, where exceeding mileage limits can cost drivers up to 50 pence per mile. This "clocking" resurgence, common in the 1980s and 1990s, now threatens buyers who look to second-hand EVs as a cost-saving alternative to rising fuel prices.

The 3% Threshold: EVs Lead the Tampering Rankings

According to CarVertical , electric vehicles topped the tampering list at 3%, followed by diesels at 2.8%, petrols at 2.5%, and hybrids at 2%.. The data, drawn from vehicles run through the platform's history checks, shows that clocking is not merely a niche problem but a measurable risk for used-car shoppers. The report notes that mileage tampering can make an EV appear newer, less worn, and better value than it really is, leading to overpaying for a vehicle that may require more maintenance than expected.

Up to 50p per Mile: How PCP Penalties Drive Mileage Fraud

The return of clocking is closely tied to the popularity of PCP agreements, which are used by four in five new car buyers in the UK. Under these leases, drivers face charges of between 3p and 50p for every mile they exceed the agreed limit. As CarVertical warns, this creates a powerful incentive for drivers to tamper with odometers — often by buying cheap online tools — before seling or returning the vehicle, passing the hidden wear and future repair costs on to the next owner.

An Old Scam Comes Full Circle: From the 1980s to the Lease Era

Odometer fraud was especially prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s, before digital dashboards made it more difficult. but as the CarVertical data and industry experts note, the practice has made a strong comeback, driven now by digital manipulation tools widely available online. the shift to EVs adds another layer: because batteries degrade with mileage and time, a clocked EV might appear to have far more remaining range than it actually does, compounding the financial risk for buyers.

The Unseen Cost: What a Clocked EV Means for Maintenance and Value

CarVertical's findings only cover vehicles run through its own system, meaning the true rate of clocking could be higher. several open questions remain: How many clocked EVs go completely undetected in private sales? What recourse do buyers have beyond a single history check? And crucially, given that many EVs come off short-term leases with incomplete service records, can a buyer ever be sure the mileage displayed is accurate? The report does not provide answers to these, but it underscores that due diligence — including independent inspections — is essential.