Fake plate sales taken down

Officials have acted swiftly to remove fake New Zealand vehicle certification plates being sold online after being alerted to the problem.

The counterfeits surfaced on an overseas website and had been selling for $28 each or $70 for four. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency says the listings were taken down quickly after concerns were raised.

Ken McAdam, operations officer at the Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association (LVVTA), says the fakes were easy to spot because of their colouring and the misspelling of vehicle, which meant the plates read “low volume venicle technical association”.

A low-volume vehicle certification plate is required whenever a light vehicle is modified, such as changes to the suspension, power steering, or brake system.

A Waka Kotahi spokesperson adds the LVVTA also no longer issues the type of engraved certification plates that were being offered on the AliExpress website, replacing them with a new circular electronic device containing a microchip.

“LVVTA is also working on further certification protection where the public can check for accurate plate information themselves on the LVVTA website – that is, when purchasing a modified vehicle,” the spokesperson told Stuff.

McAdam notes the same system is due to be available for the older engraved plates as well by the middle of October.

He says he was unaware of any vehicle owners being caught with the bogus plates and AliExpress reported only a few had been sold.