Don’t buy a car with a clocked speedo

Importing a vehicle has never been easier. But how can you guarantee the speedo is a true reflection of the distance travelled? 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

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.

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.

Buying an import from another

country

ESSENTIALLY, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THE VEHICLE CONDITION REFLECTS WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT FOR THE AGE AND MILEAGE.

Vehicles already registered and used on NZ roads