A new requirement for used vehicles brought into Malta from EU countries is being introduced by Transport Malta.

As from April 1, an Odometer Certificate of Authenticity will have to be presented at registration stage.

TM said in a statement that all used vehicles of the type M1 (motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers and comprising no more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat) purchased from another member state and brought into Malta on or after April 1, had to submit to the authority upon registration, a certificate of authenticity, issued by a body approved by the authority, showing the vehicle’s authentic odometer reading.

Used vehicles brought into Malta before April 1, but registered after that date, will not need any such documentation.

The introduction of the Odometer Certificate Requirement is in line with EU regulations.

It will ensure that the odometer reading in terms of miles or kilometres is accurate. It will also reduce the risks of the tampering to the detriment of customers and will ensure that the registration value and tax are calculated on the correct mileage.

To this end, Transport Malta has approved Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center Co. Ltd. (JEVIC) to start carrying out odometer verifications for vehicles coming to Malta from the UK, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, based on a pre-agreed methodology involving the verification of the mileage with third parties.

Should a vehicle be brought over to Malta from another member state, TM reserves the right to request further evidence of previous odometer readings to confirm the authenticity of the current reading.

Such evidence might be the last MOT/VRT test documentation, service history records of the vehicles, or any other relevant details.