Clocking of Japanese imports continues to be a problem 

The clocking of odometers in used Japanese imports is an ongoing problem according to police and customs officials. Cases are going through the courts currently.

In one instance, there is evidently a crime syndicate involved, with members in New Zealand and Japan. This emerged during a civil court case taken by police that is ongoing.

Customs initiated a criminal investigation in April last year after being approached by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). They said that some imported vehicles they had told about seemed to have incorrect records.

An Auckland company was identified that had supposedly been importing the vehicles to be sold in New Zealand.

Customs undertook a search of a home and said it had identified 133 used vehicles imported since 2020 that had inaccurate odometer readings and other false information.

Used Japanese vehicles coming from Japan require an export certificate from Japanese authorities. Customs said there were discrepancies between what the Japanese export certificates said and local documentation. Odometer readings and years of manufacture did not necessarily correspond.

Some buyers in New Zealand had been duped into buying vehicles that were older than advertised. NZTA has contacted the affected buyers since discovering the wrongdoing.

The police civil action alleged a syndicate imported 303 vehicles between March 2020 and March 2024. Most of these were identified as having altered odometers and forged export certificates.

The civil action in the High Court was taken against three individuals and two Auckland-based companies.

Customs declined to comment further while the case was before the courts. However, it confirmed to NZME that one person named in the civil action, and one of the companies was also involved in the criminal case.

The person faces a number of charges include forgery, and eight charges of dishonestly using a document.

Odometer adjustment tools are readily available online for a relatively modest outlay.