by mtrntr » Mon Apr 26, 2010 1:03 am
In a nutshell the NZTA are upset because they need to provide the odometer search under law for free, but provide the extra information for cross checking purposes.
Instead of just doing that though some operators are drawing down more info and using it as a way of selling extra services.
It is somewhat petty, but it does cost the government (us) extra money.
From Autotalk - Autotalk.co.nz
The New Zealand Transport Agency is reviewing the use of some information it provides to second party suppliers of vehicle data following increasing use – not necessarily for the correct purpose.
The review relates to Motor Vehicle Registry odometer searches which provide a history of odometer readings, according to LTNZ spokesperson Andrew Knackstedt.
In addition to this basic odometer information the system also provides the same vehicle detail as one might receive through a current owner inquiry.
There is a charge for the current owner inquiry but there is no charge for the odometer history. The charge of the current owner inquiry is because section 19 of theTransport (Vehicle and Driver Registration and Licensing) Act 1986 requires that a fee is paid for registered owner name and address.
There is no fee specified in legislation for vehicle related information.
“However, high volume users of Motochek have been increasingly using the odometer history inquiry as a means for obtaining vehicle related info,” says Knackstedt. “Because of the
increased volume we have had to increase our IT capacity which comes at a cost.
“We are currently reviewing the information being provided and whether a fee should be charged to recover costs. We have not made a decision as yet.”
Market-leader Motorweb warned of the issue in an email to its customers last week. It notes there will be a limited effect on their service.
In the email it says firms which have been distributing significant amounts of the data were breaching the rules,“Companies who have been using providers of 'free' data are now also finding
themselves in breach of the terms and conditions of these providers, who are providing it at no cost only for "non-
commercial use". Motorweb
business development manager Greg McQuaid acknowledged that the changes to the data was likely due to the abuse by such sites: “Yes, look at what has just happened through irresponsible use.”
CarJam chief executive Paul Osbourne told Autotalk they were not yet aware of the situation and would be discussing it internally.