Odometer manipulation – how safe are Japanese vehicles really?

When it comes to used cars from abroad, one buzzword often comes up: odometer manipulation .

The fear of buying a vehicle with "rolled back" mileage is justified – unfortunately, this is not uncommon, especially in countries like Europe, the US, or the Emirates. But what's the situation in Japan?

How strict is Japan really?

In Japan, odometer manipulation is strictly prohibited and severely prosecuted.

An important point: Every time a vehicle is re-registered or registered, the mileage is officially recorded and entered in the vehicle registration document. This makes it significantly more difficult to cheat – and anyone caught risks not only fines but also the loss of their dealer license , which is extremely valuable in Japan.

So where is manipulation taking place?

Most manipulations do not happen in Japan itself , but after export – and that is what is really dangerous.

For example, vehicles are shipped from Japan to countries like the United Arab Emirates or other hub countries . There are often no strict regulations or controls there, and it's precisely there that mileage readings are manipulated before the cars are resold—often to other countries.

Our experience at BCJ

At BCJ , we have now exported over 300 vehicles directly from Japan . And the best part: None of these vehicles had tampered mileage. Why? Quite simply: We thoroughly inspect each vehicle before it changes hands.

We ensure that:

• The condition matches the mileage
• All documents are correct (date & mileage)
• Photos and evidence are available

Because our goal is to deliver clean and transparent vehicles from Japan to you – without any unpleasant surprises.

Conclusion

Yes, odometer manipulation can theoretically happen in Japan, too – but it's rare and strictly prosecuted. The post-export stages are much more critical. Therefore, it's all the more important to have a reputable local partner who inspects, documents, and transparently sells every vehicle.