Odometer problems
There is always a chance with any used vehicle that the odometer may have been tampered with.
If the trader believes the odometer reading is incorrect they must include the following words on the Consumer Information Notice:
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, you will not be able to make any claim against the trader for an inaccurate reading.
What if the trader included the odometer reading on my car’s Consumer Information Notice?
If the reading was included, then it must represent the actual distance that the vehicle has travelled. If you can prove that the reading is incorrect, you may have a right to a remedy under the Consumer Guarantees Act and/or the Fair Trading Act.
Penalties for odometer tampering
It is a serious offence under the Motor Vehicle Sales Act for a motor vehicle trader to tamper with odometers. Traders convicted of odometer tampering can be fined up to $200,000.
If you have information that a motor vehicle trader is tampering with odometers, you can report this to the Motor Vehicle Traders Registrar by email or phone
0508 MOTOR TRADERS (0508 668 678).
