Authorities in New Zealand are stepping up action against odometer fraud in used Japanese car imports, with police and customs uncovering one of the biggest cases the country has ever seen.
The scam, known as “clocking,” involves winding back odometers to make cars look newer and less driven than they really are. Officials say this not only cheats buyers but can also create safety risks, as vehicles may miss important service checks.
International Syndicate Under Investigation
The problem first came to light in April 2024 when Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) noticed irregularities in vehicle records. Customs launched an investigation and soon found evidence of falsified paperwork, including altered odometer readings and incorrect years of manufacture.
By mid-2025, investigators confirmed that more than 300 vehicles imported between 2020 and 2024 had forged documents. Police now believe an international syndicate with members in both New Zealand and Japan was behind the operation.
One Auckland businessman has already been arrested, accused of importing 133 vehicles with doctored records. He faces charges of forgery and dishonestly using documents, with a trial set for 2026.
Buyers Left Out of Pocket
Some New Zealanders who bought the affected cars have faced unexpected costs. One Auckland man discovered the Toyota 86 he had purchased for his son was a year older than advertised and had nearly 50,000 extra kilometres on the clock. He has since spent thousands of dollars on repairs after repeated Warrant of Fitness failures.
Officials have contacted other buyers caught up in the fraud and assured them that the vehicles do not pose safety risks, but the financial and emotional toll has been significant.
Tougher Stance on Odometer Tampering
The crackdown is not limited to imports. Earlier this month, Auckland man Keshwar Prasad was fined $6,500 and ordered to pay $15,000 in unpaid Road User Charges (RUC) after tampering with odometers on three vehicles. NZTA said the case shows that authorities are serious about enforcing the rules.
“An odometer that doesn’t accurately show the distance travelled is not just about money, it’s a safety issue,” said NZTA road safety manager Brett Aldridge. “We’re committed to keeping New Zealand roads safe and will take action against anyone who tries to cheat the system.”
Industry Under Pressure
While odometer fraud has long been a shadow over Japanese imports, this case is seen as a turning point. Customs and police say the scale of the fraud has exposed weaknesses in the system and could lead to stricter checks on future imports.
For now, buyers are being urged to check vehicle history carefully before purchase and report any concerns to NZTA.
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