New Zealand
VIN check NZ: free decoder and buyer's checklist
Around half of the cars on New Zealand roads arrived as used imports, most of them from Japan. That makes the VIN – or the original chassis number – the key to a car's real story.
Four checks before you buy in New Zealand
- Match the numbers. The VIN or chassis number on the car must match the registration record and the seller's papers.
- Money owing. Search the Personal Property Securities Register (ppsr.govt.nz) or use a report that includes it. Finance registered against a vehicle can follow the vehicle to its next owner.
- Odometer readings. Compare the current reading with the readings recorded at past WoF inspections and at import. A lower reading than before means the odometer was replaced or wound back.
- History overseas. NZ records start when the car arrives. Damage and mileage from before import need a report that searches records in other countries.
Japanese imports: VIN or chassis number?
Cars built for the Japanese market usually have a chassis (frame) number such as a model code followed by a serial, shorter than 17 characters. NZTA records that chassis number, and many imports also receive a New Zealand VIN starting with 7AT. Our decoder accepts 17-character VINs; for a chassis-number car, decode the 7AT VIN if it has one and use the chassis number for import records.
Japanese model names differ from the ones sold new here: an Axela is a Mazda3, an Aqua a Toyota Prius c, a Demio a Mazda2. A history report helps confirm what the car really is.
How NZ checks fit together
| Check | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Free VIN decode | Confirms the manufacturer, factory region and that the VIN is genuine. |
| PPSR search | Money owing registered against the vehicle. |
| NZ register report (CarJam, MotorWeb, AA) | Registration, WoF history, recorded odometer readings, NZ theft status. |
| carVertical history report | Damage records, odometer readings and photos from other countries where available. |
| Pre-purchase inspection | The car's mechanical condition today. |
Frequently asked questions
Can I check a car in New Zealand by plate?
Yes, NZ services such as CarJam, MotorWeb and the AA look up the Motor Vehicle Register by plate. A plate can move between vehicles, so confirm the VIN or chassis number on the car matches the record.
What does a 7AT VIN mean?
VINs starting with 7AT are issued by NZTA Waka Kotahi (since 29 November 2009) to vehicles that arrived without a suitable 17-character VIN, usually Japanese-market imports. The original chassis number stays on the car.
Where are odometer readings recorded in New Zealand?
Readings are recorded at Warrant or Certificate of Fitness inspections and at entry certification when a used import arrives. Readings that go backwards or jump unusually are a warning sign.
Does a valid WoF mean the car is in good condition?
A WoF only confirms the car met the safety standard on the day of the inspection. It says nothing about earlier accidents or its history overseas; a pre-purchase inspection and a history check cover more.