How to Check Your Car’s Odometer

To check your car’s odometer, power the vehicle to the ON/ignition position and look at the instrument cluster or main display for a readout labeled “ODO” showing total miles or kilometers; if you see only “Trip A/B,” press the ODO/TRIP or menu button to cycle to the total odometer.

What the odometer shows and where to find it

The odometer displays your vehicle’s total accumulated distance, which is used for maintenance schedules, resale, insurance records, and legal documentation. In most cars, the reading appears in the gauge cluster near the speedometer. Modern vehicles often use a digital display that can cycle between ODO (total distance) and Trip meters (resettable partial distances). Some EVs and cars with fully digital dashboards may place the odometer within an on‑screen “Trips,” “Vehicle,” or “Settings” menu.

Quick steps on most cars

The following steps outline the most common way to view the odometer, whether your car uses a key or a push-button start.

1. Park safely and ensure the vehicle is stationary.
2. Turn the key to ON (not Start) or press the Start/Stop button without pressing the brake to wake the dashboard.
3. Look at the instrument cluster for a value labeled “ODO,” “Odometer,” or a total distance figure (mi or km).
4. If you see “Trip A/B” instead, press the ODO/TRIP button (often on the dash, cluster, or steering wheel) to cycle displays until “ODO” appears.
5. Confirm the units (mi or km). You can switch units in the vehicle settings if needed; avoid holding the button unless you intend to reset a trip meter.

In most vehicles, these steps reveal the total lifetime mileage immediately. If the display stays blank or cycles other data, consult the next sections for digital dashboards and EV-specific menus.

Digital clusters and EVs

Fully digital dashboards and many electric vehicles may hide the odometer behind menu layers or only show it when the cabin is “awake.” Use these tips to surface the total mileage.

1. Wake the cluster by unlocking, opening a door, or pressing the start button without the brake.
2. Use steering-wheel arrows, an “OK/Enter” key, or a “Menu” button to enter the instrument cluster menus; look for “Trip,” “Odometer,” “Vehicle Info,” or “Driver Information.”
3. On many EVs, open the center screen’s Controls/Settings and select “Trips” or “Vehicle” to view the odometer (labeling varies by brand).
4. If the screen is too dim or blank, adjust the instrument dimmer, check Day/Night mode, or turn lights off/on to change brightness.

Because interfaces differ across models, the exact path can vary. If the odometer still doesn’t appear, your owner’s manual or in-car search function (if available) can pinpoint the menu name.

Odometer vs. Trip meters: know the difference

The total odometer cannot be reset by the driver in normal operation, while trip meters can. Understanding this distinction prevents accidental resets and ensures you’re reading the right figure.

• Odometer (ODO): Total lifetime distance; persists through power cycles and cannot be reset during normal use.
• Trip A/B (or multiple trip meters): Resettable counters for measuring segments of travel (e.g., fuel tank range, road trips).
• Distance-to-empty or range: An estimate of remaining travel based on recent consumption; not an odometer.

If you’re seeing a number that seems too low for the vehicle’s age, confirm you’re not viewing a trip meter or range estimate instead of the odometer.

Verifying mileage when buying a used car

When evaluating a used vehicle, it’s wise to corroborate the dashboard reading with external records to reduce the risk of errors or tampering.

1. Compare the odometer to maintenance receipts and the service booklet; dates and mileages should progress consistently.
2. Obtain a vehicle history report (e.g., Carfax, AutoCheck in the U.S.) to review mileage entries from registrations, services, and inspections.
3. Check government inspection histories where available (e.g., MOT history in the U.K.; state inspection records or emissions programs in parts of the U.S.).
4. Look for wear consistent with the mileage (pedals, driver’s seat bolster, steering wheel, and keys).
5. Ask the seller for documentation of any instrument cluster replacements; legitimate replacements are typically documented on the title, a door-jamb label, or service records.

If readings are inconsistent or unsupported by records, proceed cautiously. Odometer tampering is illegal in many jurisdictions; consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted technician.

Troubleshooting if the odometer won’t show or looks wrong

If you can’t find the odometer or the reading seems off, these checks may resolve common issues before you visit a shop.

• Display is dark: Ensure the ignition is in ON, raise the instrument brightness, and check the cluster/infotainment fuses.
• Display cycles too fast: Use the ODO/TRIP or steering-wheel menu buttons to pause on “Odometer.”
• Units mismatch: Change miles/kilometers in the settings (often under Units/Language). Some cars also change units when the navigation region changes.
• Not counting mileage: A faulty vehicle speed sensor or instrument cluster may be at fault; seek diagnosis from a qualified technician.
• Replaced cluster: A replacement may show zero or a disclaimer; proper documentation should accompany the vehicle.

Persistent faults, warning lights, or missing readings typically require professional diagnostics with manufacturer-specific scan tools and service information.

Tips for finding the ODO/TRIP control

Manufacturers place the odometer controls in a few common spots. If you’re unsure where to press, check these areas first.

• A small button or stalk on the instrument cluster face, near the odometer window.
• Steering-wheel buttons labeled with arrows, “OK,” or “Menu,” which navigate a driver-information screen.
• A dash button labeled “ODO/TRIP” or similar near the gauge cluster.
• In vehicles with minimal physical buttons, a touchscreen menu labeled “Trips,” “Vehicle,” or “Info.”

Once located, a quick, single press typically cycles displays; pressing and holding usually resets the current trip meter—avoid long presses if you don’t want to reset those values.

Summary

To check your car’s odometer, power the vehicle to the ON position and look for an “ODO” or total distance display in the instrument cluster; if needed, cycle the ODO/TRIP or menu button, or access a Trips/Vehicle info menu on digital dashboards and EVs. Verify units, distinguish ODO from trip meters, and use documentation and history reports to corroborate mileage on used cars. If the odometer is dim, missing, or incorrect, adjust display settings and consult a technician for potential sensor or cluster issues.

Where can I check my car mileage?

The mileage on a car is displayed by its odometer, which is located on the dashboard. On modern vehicles, you’ll typically find this information on a digital display as part of the gauge cluster or information screen, sometimes labeled as “ODO”. On older vehicles, it will be a series of mechanical numbers.
 
How to find it:

1. Turn on the ignition: or start your car to power the dashboard. 
2. Look at the dashboard: where the speedometer and other gauges are located. 
3. Locate the digital or mechanical display: that shows the total distance the vehicle has traveled. This is your car’s mileage. 
4. Use buttons: on the dashboard or steering wheel to cycle through different displays if the total mileage is not immediately visible. 

What it tells you:

• The odometer shows the total distance a vehicle has traveled throughout its lifetime. 
• It’s crucial for maintenance schedules and determining the resale value of a car. 
• It can be displayed in miles or kilometers, depending on the vehicle’s origin. 

Is there a way to check an odometer?

How do I check my odometer for an accurate reading

1. Look at Maintenance Logs – Check for logical mileage increases.
2. Check Wear – Seat, pedal, and steering wear should match miles.
3. Get a VIN Report – Validate records and the number of miles.
4. Inspect the Instrument Cluster – Loose screws or scratches can signal tampering.

How to check car odometer reading online?

You can perform an Odometer Check by entering in the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), Model Year and Make of a vehicle or by the eMV-50 Number. Searching by VIN: When searching by VIN number, the search result will include information about every sale/transfer available in the system for that VIN.

Where to check car odometer?

How to verify a vehicle’s odometer reading

• Check the distance travelled.
• Check the car’s logbook.
• Check the wear and tear.
• Get a vehicle history report and inspection.