What is Odometer Inspection in Japan ?

Odometer Inspection is an important inspection to check authenticity of a used vehicle's mileage at time of importing, buying and selling a Japan used vehicle. All types of vehicles are subject to odometer tampering like Analogue, digital, and diagnostic. Thus Odometer inspection is of great importance to importers and buyers of used vehicles.

Odometer Inspection consists of a forensic examination subject to removal of the odometer unit, diagnostic testing, vehicle condition, available maintenance records and documents and finally cross checking with the national database. Once a vehicle passes inspection, a sticker is placed on the front windscreen identifying it as having an authentic odometer reading.


Followings organizations are issuing Odometer inspection certifications:

• Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Certificate (JEVIC) is a pre-shipment inspection and certification provided by JEVIC Co. Ltd., It is a Japan based private company providing certifications for authenticity of the used vehicles in various forms since 2001. JEVIC office is located in all major ports in Japan like in Kawasaki (Tokyo Bay) Nagoya, Yokohama (Tokyo Bay), Osaka and Hakata. They are also having their branch offices in New Zealand & Singapore. JEVIC having strict ways of inspecting used vehicles and we can understand their reputation by the fact that some of the countries have made it mandatory for used vehicles to have JEVIC inspection certificate. JEVIC has worldwide customers like Government bodies, automobile associations, importers, exporters and different types of international trading companies along with end users.


• The Japan Auto Appraisal Institute (JAAI) is an organization with a network of 52 branches covering all 47 prefectures in Japan, and is the only organization in Japan to conduct export inspections of used cars. Its organizational ability and fairness have been highly evaluated, and since 1967, the Japanese government has authorized JAAI as the quality inspection agency for second-hand Japanese cars exported overseas. After passing JAAI's inspection, a label is attached to the vehicle and a certification in English is issued. Because JAAI stores related documents for a period of one year after vehicle inspection, JAAI is able to respond to inquiries on a vehicle's condition, manufacturing year, grade, equipment, and driving distance at the time of inspection.


• Japan Odometer Certification Institute (JOCI) is a substitute organization of Nippon Jidosha Service registered in Japan and has been involved in certification of odometer readings in all types of used vehicles. JOCI has access to odometer reading data of all the vehicles sold in Japanese auto auctions. JOCI is an independent organization which provides online odometer certification service.

Brief description of how Odometer inspection is conducted by different institutes:

• They remove and inspect the odometer for any signs or evidence of tampering


• Examine all available service records to ensure they match the car's stated odometer readings.


• They also check the car's history and compare it to all other information about the car.


• They check car's overall condition for signs of wear and tear inconsistent with the odometer reading.

When they are hundred percent sure and satisfied, they stamp the car with Odometer Passed stamp of approval.