Safety-related vehicle recalls: Information for used vehicle importers

From time to time, motor vehicles manufactured overseas are recalled by their manufacturers because of defects in their design or production.

Vehicle defects can range from minor problems to faults that affect the vehicle's safety and performance.

While most vehicles subject to a recall are repaired in the source market, some may be exported before the defect has been remedied, or before the defect has been detected and the recall announced.

Before you import a motor vehicle into New Zealand, you are strongly advised to check whether the vehicle has been subject to a safety-related recall.

How does the importer know whether a vehicle is subject to a recall?

Vehicle safety-related recalls are posted on websites in Japan, Australia, the USA and Europe. These websites:

• tell you whether your vehicle model is subject to a recall
• give you information on the type of defect
• usually provide a VIN number or chassis number range, indicating which vehicles are subject to the recall.

While these websites can tell you whether the vehicle you wish to import has ever been subject to a recall or recalls, they cannot tell you whether the vehicle has had the defect repaired.

Recall websites

• If you are importing a vehicle from Japan, check the website of Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT).
  (This website is in Japanese only, and you may need to have it translated.)
• If you are importing a vehicle from Australia, check the website of Australia's Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS).
• If you are importing a vehicle from the USA, check the website of the USA's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• If you are importing a vehicle from the UK, check the website of the UK's Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA).

Manufacturers' websites

In addition, some (but not all) manufacturers post recall information on their websites. Often you will need to know the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check whether it is subject to a safety-related recall.

How does the importer know if the defect has been repaired?

If the vehicle you wish to import is part of a safety-related recall listed on one of these websites, you should contact the manufacturer directly, or a franchise dealer in the country of export to get written confirmation that the vehicle has been repaired.

Note that you will not be able to get this information from a New Zealand franchise dealer or the vehicle manufacturer's representatives in New Zealand.

Liability for repairs

The New Zealand franchise holder is not legally liable, nor will they take responsibility for, any recall campaigns initiated in the source market before the vehicle is exported. It is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicles they import have been cleared of any outstanding recalls before importation.

Why should the importer check for safety recalls?

You should check for safety recalls before you import a vehicle to avoid:

• the possibility of a death or injury occurring as a result of a defect not being remedied
• the cost and inconvenience to you of Land Transport New Zealand requiring you to have the defect rectified before the vehicle is registered for entry into the fleet
• the cost and inconvenience to you of Land Transport New Zealand ordering your vehicle off the road and/or revoking the warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness until the defect is remedied
• the cost and inconvenience to you of having to repair, or pay for the repair, of any vehicle defects. If you sell the vehicle in New Zealand, you may have an obligation to do this under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993.

Information on new vehicles

The website of the Motor Industry Association contains information about safety-related vehicle recalls for vehicles that are sold new into New Zealand.