Buying a used car? Well NSW Fair Trading is warning buyers to BEWARE, urging customers to check a vehicle’s history before purchase

During a Fair Trading crackdown 28 fines were issued in a month and one man sentenced to a nine-month intensive corrections order for unlicenced motor dealing and odometer tampering.

Fifty four penalty notices in relation to car sales and repairs valued at more than $100,000 were issued, more than half were for odometer interference, other offences included non-supply of goods and services, including unlicensed vehicles and sales.

One man pled guilty to odometer tampering while operating without a motor dealer’s licence.

The man sold 16 vehicles while unlicensed, online, with one car having an odometer found to have been wound back by more than 200,000 kilometres. 

Robert Handsaker Dealership owner of Robert Handsaker Ford Narromine - Image courtesy Robert Handsaker Ford.

Robert Handsaker of Robert Handsaker Ford in Narromine said it is always best to buy from a reputable seller when purchasing a vehicle.

“Speedometer tampering is not as common now with digital speedos.

 “Nowadays you can do a check on the RMS from a pink slip for registration, where you can see what the speedometer reading is and then check what the reading is on the car to see if they match or if the car has been tampered with,” said Mr Handsaker.

According to Mr Handsaker there are a few things to check before purchasing a used car.

“Always check the credentials of the previous owner, if it’s a one owner vehicle or if it has many owners that will give you can indication. If it is a one owner vehicle talk to them to verify any queries you have.

“You are best to buy a car from a reputable dealer as they sign a document to say everything is true and correct, and that a vehicle hasn’t been a repaired write off or affected by flood etc and rubber stamp the whole transaction whereas private sellers can tell you anything.

“Even Auctions are buyer beware, so do your due diligence before purchasing,” said Mr Handsaker.

In 2024 NSW Fair Trading acted against 21 licensed motor vehicle dealers and repairers, with 10 licence cancellations, 13 disqualifications including three permanent, and one suspension.

The NSW Government offers a free vehicle registration check where prospective buyers have access to an NSW-registered vehicle’s previous three annual odometer readings, as well as basic details like vehicle make, registration and insurance history.

Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong - Image courtesy NSW Labor.

“Odometer tampering is used by unscrupulous sellers to increase the value of a vehicle leaving the buyer with a vehicle which is not in the condition advertised, and likely to require repairs at cost and inconvenience to the buyer,” said Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong.

“Sellers of used cars who reduce the number of kilometres displayed on the vehicle can be fined $1,100 per offence, and if taken to court can receive a penalty of up to $55,000 per offence.

“Any buyer of a used car from any source, whether that be online like Facebook Marketplace or through a licenced car dealer, should do their homework including visiting the Service NSW website to run a free history check on the car they wish to purchase.”

For more information on consumer protections relating to purchasing a used vehicle visit the NSW Fair Trading website here.

To check registration, including odometer reading visit Service NSW.