Don’t buy a car with a clocked speedo
A thorough onceover will uncover secrets of a vehicle’s past
ESSENTIALLY, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE CONDITION REFLECTS WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FOR THE AGE AND MILEAGE.
Importing a vehicle has never been easier. But how can you guarantee the speedo is a true reflection of the distance travelled?
Buying a used vehicle from Japan
If you're buying a used vehicle recently imported from Japan, it's best to look for an “odometer verified” windscreen sticker, as well as an accompanying authorisation certificate which shows that the vehicle has been inspected before it leaves Japan.
The AA conducts odometer inspections on second-hand cars before they leave the port with our partners Bordercheck, Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center (JEVIC) and Jacanna. Look for the “AA Verified” windscreen stickers.
These checks can include:
• Examining all available service records to ensure they match the car's stated odometer reading
• Checking the car's history and comparing it to all other information about the car • Checking the car's overall condition for signs of wear that are inconsistent with the odometer reading
Buying an import from another
country
If the used car that you're interested in has just entered New Zealand from another country, there is sometimes very little information available about its history. In these instances, it's worth getting an independent expert to give the vehicle a onceover to assess whether its overall condition matches the number of kilometres it reads.
Before buying a used car, it's a good idea to book a pre-purchase vehicle inspection.
Car repair bills are often unexpected, leaving you out of pocket. A thorough inspection can uncover secrets of a vehicle's past that you can't spot yourself, offering some reassurance that you're buying a reliable car.
Vehicles already registered and used on NZ roads
If you're buying a vehicle that's already registered and on the road in NZ, you can buy an online AA Vehicle History report which informs potential buyers of any discrepancies in the odometer readings, based upon the figures that were recorded during every Warrant of Fitness.
An AA Vehicle History report looks for regular patterns and brings up warnings if something doesn't quite line up. It highlights any security interest on the vehicle that can be inherited by a new buyer and also lets you know if it has been imported as damaged.
Essentially, you want to make sure the vehicle condition reflects what you would expect for the age and mileage. The newer the vehicle or the lower the kilometres, the less acceptable any defects should be. Visit aa.co.nz/ historyreport to buy an AA Vehicle History Report.