Checking for wear and tear

Odometers

There’s always a risk with any used vehicle 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. It gives no indication of the quality of the mileage or the driving, and it does not reflect all the engine’s 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 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 supplier] 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.”

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.

More information on the Consumer Information Notice is here.

Checking the 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 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. 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.

After purchasing

Changing registration

After you have bought a vehicle you should notify the New Zealand Transport Agency of the change of ownership by lodging a form within seven days of the purchase date.

You can lodge the form, with the fee, at an agent which includes the AA, NZ Post Shops, On Road New Zealand, Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ) and Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ). You’ll need valid
identification to take to the agent.

Finding out more

For further information on changing registration of the vehicle, contact the New Zealand Transport Agency:

Telephone: 0800 108 809 or visit their website.