Japanese import check NZ: what to know before you buy
A large share of the used cars on New Zealand roads arrived as grey imports: vehicles not originally sold new in NZ, most of them brought in from Japan. Each one passed a border inspection and entry certification before it could be registered.
Grey imports carry most of the same risks as locally-sourced vehicles, plus a few specific ones. A MotorWeb VIR® checks NZ records from the point of registration. Here is what that covers, and what it does not.
What MotorWeb checks for a Japanese import
A VIR® checks NZTA, PPSR and stolen records from the point the vehicle was registered in NZ. This includes:
- Whether NZTA have flagged the vehicle as a damaged or flood damaged import
- Odometer readings recorded at each NZ WOF inspection, including inconsistency flags
- Money owing (PPSR security interests) registered in NZ
- Whether the vehicle is reported stolen
- Registration status and expiry
- WOF status, with the latest inspection result and expiry
- Road User Charges for diesel and EV/PHEV imports
- A check that the plate you searched is the vehicle’s current plate, and every plate and the VIN NZTA holds for it
What MotorWeb cannot check for a Japanese import
MotorWeb checks NZ records from registration onwards. It does not access:
- Japanese auction history or pre-NZ condition grades (USS, JBA, or other auction grades)
- Japanese accident or odometer history
- Korean or Singaporean vehicle records
For pre-import history, services that connect directly to Japanese auction databases may provide condition grades, though data quality and completeness varies. Ask the seller for the translated auction sheet and the export certificate. MotorWeb’s NZ checks are run when you get the report, so they reflect the records at that time.
Damage flags at the NZ border
Before a used import can be registered, it has a border inspection by an NZTA-approved inspection organisation, often in Japan, then entry certification. If damage is found, a flag is recorded against the vehicle and it may need repair certification. A MotorWeb VIR® shows any of these flags and explains what they mean.
Common flags include:
- Imported as a damaged vehicle. The vehicle arrived with significant damage. Get an independent mechanical inspection before buying.
- Possibly water or fire damaged import. The vehicle has been flagged as likely to have been damaged by water or fire. Safety components including airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners, and wiring may need replacement. Ask for the repair certification paperwork.
See damaged import alerts explained for full detail on each flag.
Odometer accuracy on Japanese imports
Low mileage is common on Japanese-market cars, so a 10-year-old vehicle with 60,000 km on the clock can be genuine. However, odometer manipulation does occur.
A VIR® shows the odometer readings NZTA has recorded, such as at each WOF check. If the readings appear to go backwards, or NZTA has marked the odometer as unreliable, the report highlights this. It cannot tell you the car’s condition, so compare the mileage with the wear on the seats, pedals and steering wheel yourself.
The NZ odometer history starts when the vehicle entered NZ. Mileage before that can only be checked against Japanese export or auction documents.
Entry certification and WOF
All grey imports must pass a full entry certification before being registered in NZ. Once registered, they require regular WOFs like any other vehicle.
Entry certification checks the vehicle against NZ standards, such as the requirement for electronic stability control on used imports. Parts replaced since then with non-compliant components can still show up as a WOF failure.