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There is always a risk with any used vehicle (both imported or
New Zealand new) that the odometer may have been wound back.
While the odometer gives some indication of a vehicle’s value,
don’t rely on it as the main measure of value. It gives no
indication of the quality of the mileage or the driving, and it does
not reflect all engine running and wear in many circumstances.
Consumer Information Notice
When a trader offers a vehicle for sale they can include a
statement on the Consumer Information Notice (CIN) warning
consumers not to rely on the odometer reading. If the trader
believes the odometer reading is incorrect they must include the
words:
I [name of Consumer] cannot accurately determine the actual
distance this motor vehicle has travelled because the odometer
reading may be inaccurate.
Or
This motor vehicle’s odometer reading is inaccurate.
in the section "Actual distance travelled".
If either of these statements is included on the Consumer
Information Notice for your vehicle, it will be very difficult for
you to make a claim against the trader for an inaccurate reading.
Checking the vehicle’s condition
As odometer tampering can be very difficult to detect, a
vehicle’s mechanical condition is a much better indication of
quality.
Look out for the following signs of wear and tear which may
indicate the vehicle has been used more than the odometer reading
indicates.
Inside
The steering wheel and gear lever will start to look shiny after
about 60,000kms.
If the carpet under the pedals is wearing, then the vehicle has
done a fair mileage - also look for plating wearing off the ignition
key, worn rubbers on the pedals, original seat covers wearing thin,
or seatbelts fraying.
Outside
Areas of bright or mismatched paint (view the vehicle in good
light) indicate recent repairs. If the paint looks dimpled, this may
indicate bad quality repairs. Look around the doors and other panels
to see that they line up - use something with a straight edge such
as a credit or ATM card to check the line. And look out for uneven
or mismatched tyres.
Engine
- If a vehicle is burning oil, this is a sign of a worn engine.
Feel under the bumper bar, close to the exhaust pipe. If it feels
oily and slippery, then the vehicle is burning oil. Open the
bonnet and check that the dipstick indicates a good oil level and
that the oil isn’t black and sludgy. If it is an automatic, also
check the transmission dipstick under the bonnet. The oil should
be clean (not black) and smell sweet.
- While under the bonnet, also check that the radiator cooling
fins are not corroded or missing.
- Listen for heavy noises like rumbling, clattering and
knocking. These are not good signs!
- Warm the engine and leave the vehicle in neutral. If blue
clouds of smoke gush from the vehicle when it’s revved, it’s bad
news - it’s burning oil.
- Black smoke is also bad news, indicating excessive fuel usage.
- White smoke indicates water loss (but white smoke or steam can
be normal on a cold day).
- While driving the vehicle, check when braking that there is
not excessive pedal travel, or pulling to the left or right.
Odometer tampering
It is an offence under the Motor Vehicle Sales Act for any person
to tamper with a motor vehicle’s odometer. The penalty if convicted
of odometer tampering is up to $50,000 for an individual and
$200,000 for a company.
If you have information about odometer tampering, you can report
this using the online complaint form at the Motor Vehicle Traders
Register website.
For more information on your remedies if your odometer reading is
false, see Problems with motor
vehicles section.
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