- Southern River man fined $6,000 for odometer tampering
- Odometer of a 2016 Ford Ranger reduced from 200,000km to 100,000km pre-sale
- Magistrate found misrepresentation was deliberate and refused a spent conviction
A Southern River man has been convicted and fined $6,000 by the Perth Magistrates Court after deliberately altering the odometer of a used vehicle before advertising and selling it online.
Marcus Rollend pleaded guilty to two charges under the Motor Vehicle Dealers Act related to altering an odometer. In addition to the fine, he was also ordered to pay $595.50 in costs.
In March 2024, Mr Rollend purchased a 2016 Ford Ranger with an odometer reading of around 200,000 km, as confirmed by the previous owner and service records. However, in October 2024 he advertised the vehicle on an online marketplace as having an odometer reading of about 100,000km.
The subsequent purchaser inspected the vehicle and observed the same reading. When the vehicle was sold the following day, Mr Rollend signed a Department of Transport form recording the odometer as 100,303km, which was substantially less than the vehicle had actually travelled.
During sentencing, Magistrate Hills-Wright dismissed Mr Rollend’s claim that he had spent $5,000-$7,000 reconditioning the engine before sale, noting if this were true, the easiest course would have been to advertise the vehicle as having a reconditioned engine, rather than falsifying the odometer reading and misrepresenting it to prospective purchasers.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Trish Blake said odometer readings remained one of the most important indicators of a used vehicle’s condition.
“Tampering with an odometer is a serious deception, as consumers rely heavily on odometer readings to judge a vehicle’s condition, safety and value,” Ms Blake said.
“This case sends a clear message that altering a vehicle’s odometer to mislead buyers will not be tolerated, and those who do so can expect significant penalties.
“One of the best ways buyers can protect themselves is by having a qualified mechanic inspect the car. As well as confirming the vehicle is mechanically sound, a mechanic can often spot signs that the mileage doesn’t match its condition – for example, a worn interior despite low kilometres – which may suggest tampering.”
A Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) search can sometimes include a vehicle’s odometer reading, and it also helps buyers determine whether a vehicle has been stolen, has money owing on it or has been a repairable write-off.
Suspected odometer tampering can be reported to Consumer Protection via the website, or by calling 1300 30 40 54 or emailing consumer@lgirs.wa.gov.au
Media Contact: cpmedia@lgirs.wa.gov.au