Odometer tampering – to falsely inflate a vehicle’s perceived condition and value by making it appear newer and less used – is among offences targeted by new laws introduced in December, which also include prohibitions on possessing or fitting tampering devices.
Since laws were introduced, compliance activity by Fair Trading NSW has led to the licences of two dealers being cancelled for producing false vehicle inspection reports, while three others have been prosecuted for odometer tampering, unlicensed motor dealing, and using falsified documents.
Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the new laws sent a message.Credit: Steven Siewert
Kellyville Ridge husband and wife duo Pedram Hemmatifarahani and Neginsadat Nabavieh were convicted in the NSW Local Court last month after pleading guilty to offences including odometer tampering.
The pair were convicted and sentenced to community corrections orders. Hemmatifarahani was also ordered to repay $16,900 in compensation to four buyers.
In a separate case, dealers James Steven Power and Anthony James Baysari had their motor tradepersons certificates cancelled and were disqualified from holding a licence or being involved in the management of a business for which a licence is required, for 10 and six years respectively.
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Power pleaded guilty to producing vehicle inspection reports knowing the documents to be false or misleading, as well as issuing reports without inspecting vehicles, and Baysari was convicted for producing false inspection reports.
The NSW government is currently considering expanding car sale regulations through amendments which would include requirements for all cars advertised in online platforms to be physically sold in NSW, to enable pre-purchase inspections.
NSW Fair Trading Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the recent convictions send “a clear message that dishonest conduct will not be tolerated”.
