The storage map, make by make
Exact locations vary by model and year — this is the shape of it, and why single-plug tools disappoint:
| Make | Where the figure typically lives |
|---|---|
| BMW / Mini | Cluster plus the immobiliser-side module — CAS on E-series, FEM/BDC on F- and G-series — with mileage snapshots even landing in key memory. Disagreement between cluster and CAS/FEM is what lights the infamous red tamper dot. |
| Mercedes-Benz | Cluster and the EZS/EIS ignition module cross-hold the figure; newer FBS4-era cars lock the route in considerably harder. |
| Audi / VW | Cluster tied into the immobiliser data; later MQB-platform cars spread copies further and 2020-on models sit behind a locked gateway needing dealer-level access routes. |
| Ford | Cluster-centric — which is why a replacement cluster simply shows the donor's figure until programmed to the true one. |
| Range Rover / Land Rover | Cluster plus body modules on later cars; import conversions and locked-down 2018-on platforms need the specialist routes. |
| Vauxhall | Cluster and body control module share the story on most GM-era cars — both need to agree after any change. |
Why the one-plug gadgets go wrong
The bargain OBD tools sold to do this job in a car park make one of three messes: a partial write (cluster changed, immobiliser still remembers — instant mismatch), a corrupted EEPROM (interrupted write, dash dead on the spot), or a tripped tamper flag the tool can't clear. The car is then worse off than before it was "corrected".
Recovering these is a steady part of our week — corrupted clusters especially, because board-level cluster repair is the trade we built the business on. If a tool has already been on your car, stop there and call; the less that gets written after a bad write, the cleaner the recovery.
What a proper correction looks like
- Module map confirmed for your exact car before anything is written
- Every storage location updated together, in sync
- Tamper logic respected — no flags tripped, none left behind
- Verified in agreement on the live car before we leave
That's the standard on the main mileage correction page — and it's the same standard whether the reason is a replacement cluster, an import conversion or a rescue.
Storage & recovery questions
Why does it matter where the mileage is stored?
What actually goes wrong with cheap OBD mileage tools?
My dash died mid-way through a DIY attempt. Is it scrap?
Is this why dealer quotes for mileage jobs are so high?
Call with the reg — we'll tell you exactly where your model keeps its miles and quote the job properly.