Odometer Tampering
MTA have been advised that some businesses could be installing switches in electronic speedometers, so they can be switched off to prevent the odometer recording distance. The suggestion is that this is mainly being done on light diesel vehicles, enabling the vehicle owner to avoid payment of road user charges.
A vehicle is required to be fitted with an operating speedometer, this is a WoF inspection item. Tampering with a distance recorder or odometer is illegal and can attract very significant fines.
Under the Motor Vehicles Sales Act 2003 tampering with odometers is prohibited. The Act specifically advises that “A person must not tamper with a motor vehicle’s odometer”.
If an offence is committed if, without reasonable excuse, an individual could be fined up to $50,000 and a company up to $200,000.
Under the Road User Charges Act 1977 every person who alters or wilfully damages any distance recorder fitted to a motor vehicle, to which this Act applies, commits an offence. Upon conviction they are liable for a fine not exceeding $3000.
If an MTA Member were found to be tampering with speedometers or odometers their membership to MTA would be put under considerable risk.