Britain’s most clocked car models of 2025 have been revealed, with the Nissan Qashqai heading the Top 20 list, as experts warned that it can “directly distort” your car’s value.
New figures from vehicle history platform carVertical show almost one in 10 (9.7%) of Qashqais checked showed signs of mileage being wound back, with an average rollback of 15,490 miles.
The research also highlights popular SUVs as a repeated target for odometer fraud. Models such as the Volvo XC60 and XC90, often chosen by families for their space, comfort and practicality, continue to feature prominently in mileage manipulation checks.
In fact, the Volvo XC60 was the second most commonly clocked model, with 8.4% of vehicles affected, followed by the Volvo XC90 at 7.2%.
While the Qashqai topped the list for the share of cars clocked, the most extreme mileage rollbacks were found elsewhere. The Land Rover Defender recorded the largest average reduction, with 59,201 miles wiped from the odometer.
The Vauxhall Insignia (40,896 miles) and Mercedes-Benz S-Class (40,742 miles) also stood out for large average rollbacks.
Clocking can slip through unnoticed
Matas Buzelis, motoring expert at vehicle history platform carVertical, said popular cars are most prone to clocking.
He added: “As one of Britain’s best-selling family SUVs, the Nissan Qashqai is a very popular choice in the UK used car market, with large numbers of vehicles available and regularly bought and sold. That level of demand can make it more vulnerable to mileage manipulation, particularly in a fast-moving market where cars are expected to sell quickly.
“When a model is popular and widely available, buyers may feel pressure to act fast, which can reduce the amount of scrutiny carried out. In those conditions, clocking can slip through unnoticed unless the right checks are in place.
“Clocking is one of those scams that often looks harmless until you are the one paying for it. A car can be advertised as low mileage, priced accordingly and bought because it seems like a safe bet, only for buyers to later discover the miles have been wound back and the vehicle has lived a much harder life.
“What makes clocking particularly damaging is that it can happen more than once. A vehicle can be altered, sold on and altered again, each time appearing to be a better deal than it really is. That’s why checking mileage patterns through a vehicle’s history matters – you’re not looking for one perfect reading, but for consistency over time.”
Mileage fraud directly distorts value
Scott Gallacher, Director at Leicester-based Rowley Turton, said the value of your car will go down significantly if it has been clocked.
He continued: “Mileage fraud directly distorts value. The absence of EVs is notable — perhaps because they’re newer and supported by digital records — but that may change as the used EV market grows. BMW is another interesting standout.
“Given how popular BMW and MINI are, seeing only the Z4 appear could reflect stronger digital servicing systems, or simply different buyer demographics. Premium cars with consistent dealer histories are often harder to manipulate, whereas patchier records on mainstream models create more opportunity for abuse.
“As a financial planner, this matters because many savvy clients buy second-hand and often fund purchases from savings or investment withdrawals rather than finance. If you’re releasing £20,000–£40,000 from ISAs or portfolios, overpaying for a clocked vehicle isn’t just a motoring issue — it’s a capital protection issue.”
| Rank | Car make/model | Percentage of cars clocked (%) | Average number of clocked miles |
| 1 | Nissan Qashqai | 9.7 | 15,490 |
| 2 | Volvo XC60 | 8.4 | 21,192 |
| 3 | Volvo XC90 | 7.2 | 15,936 |
| 4 | Nissan Juke | 7.2 | 16,159 |
| 5 | Porsche 911 | 6.9 | 22,597 |
| 6 | Land Rover Defender | 6.4 | 59,201 |
| 7 | Peugeot 208 | 5.9 | 11,983 |
| 8 | Vauxhall Astra | 4.8 | 21,698 |
| 9 | Mercedes-Benz C Class | 4.7 | 22,107 |
| 10 | Honda Civic | 4.6 | 27,975 |
| 11 | Vauxhall Vivaro | 4.6 | 20,454 |
| 12 | Audi A6 | 4.6 | 27,329 |
| 13 | Fiat 500 | 4.6 | 17,637 |
| 14 | Vauxhall Insignia | 4.5 | 40,895 |
| 15 | BMW Z4 | 4.5 | 26,240 |
| 16 | Land Rover Range Rover | 4.4 | 21,443 |
| 17 | Land Rover Discovery | 4.4 | 30,972 |
| 18 | Vauxhall Corsa | 4.3 | 27,109 |
| 19 | Mercedes-Benz S Class | 4.2 | 40,738 |
| 20 | Mercedes-Benz CLA Class | 4.2 | 18,317 |
Photo by Vadim Paripa on Unsplash.
