Transport guide · New Zealand
CarJam NZ Vehicle Check: Free and Paid Reports
Learn what a CarJam NZ vehicle check can show, what is free, what a paid report adds, current report pricing, limitations and checks to make before buying.
Reviewed 26 August 2026
Reviewed by KiwiTools editorial team — NZ transport researchers using NZTA, Consumer Protection and provider sources
A vehicle-data result is a point-in-time check, not proof of ownership or mechanical condition. Match the VIN and plate, verify the seller and obtain the checks appropriate to the purchase.
Key points
CarJam NZ in brief
CarJam is a New Zealand vehicle-information provider that accepts a registration plate, VIN or chassis number.
Its pricing page lists free stolen checks and free cached basic reports, while fuller history and money-owing information is sold in paid reports.
A CarJam report is useful evidence, but it does not replace matching the VIN, checking the seller, inspecting the vehicle or reviewing current official records.
CarJam free check versus full report
This is a practical summary of CarJam's published consumer offering as reviewed on 25 August 2026. Availability can depend on whether a basic report is cached and whether the user is signed in.
| Check | Free or basic check | Paid full report |
|---|---|---|
| Typical purpose | Initial vehicle and stolen-status screening | Broader history and purchase-risk review |
| Vehicle facts | Cached basic vehicle facts where available | Full vehicle information and history fields offered by CarJam |
| Stolen status | CarJam lists stolen checks as free | Included in the full NZ vehicle report |
| Money owing | Not a substitute for a current PPSR or full money-owing check | CarJam advertises money-owing checks across current and previous plates |
| Price reviewed | Free cached basic reports; an uncached lookup can trigger a basic-report purchase | NZ$13.95 casual or NZ$12.95 for a registered user; verify current pricing |
What is CarJam NZ?
CarJam is a private New Zealand vehicle-information service, not an NZ government website. A user can search by number plate, VIN or chassis number and view available vehicle facts. CarJam says its reports combine information from sources including NZTA, New Zealand Police, the Companies Office, PPSR and proprietary datasets.
The search is commonly used before buying a used car, but the result should be treated as one part of due diligence. The details returned must still match the physical plate, VIN or chassis number, make, model and colour of the vehicle being inspected.
How to search CarJam by number plate
Open the official carjam.co.nz website and enter the New Zealand registration plate shown on the vehicle. CarJam also accepts a VIN or chassis number. Confirm that the first result matches the make, model, year and colour before reading any status or buying a report.
A casual visitor can run an available search without first registering, while an account can change access to identifiers, saved vehicles or report pricing. Always check the report timestamp: a cached basic result may not contain the newest WOF, COF or vehicle-licence update.
Read the related carjam vs motorweb guideRead the related carjam alternative guideRead the related nz number plate check guide
What does the free CarJam check show?
CarJam's pricing page currently lists free stolen checks and free cached basic reports. A basic report can help identify the vehicle and surface an available stolen-status result. What appears without payment can depend on whether CarJam already holds a cached report and whether the visitor uses a casual or registered account.
Free does not mean every vehicle-history question is answered. In particular, do not treat basic facts or a negative stolen result as proof that the seller owns the vehicle, that no security interest exists, that the odometer is correct or that the car is mechanically sound.
What does a paid CarJam report add?
CarJam describes its full New Zealand report as including vehicle information, stolen status, history, money owing and other checks. Its report information also describes plate history, odometer history, WOF or COF records, RUC information where relevant, alerts and optional valuation or overseas-history products.
Read the exact product description before paying because some components are optional or separately priced. Check when each record was retrieved, whether a field is unavailable, and whether a warning refers to the current plate, a previous plate or another identifier.
How much does a CarJam report cost?
As reviewed on 25 August 2026, CarJam lists an NZ full vehicle report at NZ$13.95 for a casual user. Its registered-user price is NZ$12.95, with a listed NZ$10.95 price for another report purchased within 14 days. Separate PPSR, valuation and overseas-history products have their own prices.
Prices, discounts, GST treatment and included fields can change. Use these figures only as a dated reference and confirm the checkout description and current CarJam pricing before purchasing.
How to use a CarJam report before buying
Start by confirming the returned make, model, year, colour and identifiers against the vehicle itself. Review licence, WOF or COF, odometer and usage history for gaps or inconsistencies. Then examine stolen and money-owing results, noting the checked time and any qualifications shown in the report.
Ask the seller about every mismatch and retain the listing, report and sales documents. Consumer Protection recommends checking vehicle history and paperwork and arranging an independent pre-purchase inspection. A current WOF is a general safety check, not proof of good mechanical condition.
CarJam report limitations
A report reflects available source data at a point in time. Reports can be delayed, identifiers can be mistyped or altered, and a vehicle can have damage or mechanical problems that do not appear in database records. A not-reported-stolen result is not a guarantee that the seller has the right to sell.
For a purchase, separately confirm the seller, match the VIN, investigate money owing or registered security interests, review service evidence, test-drive the vehicle and obtain an appropriate mechanical inspection. Use official NZTA, Police and PPSR services when a current official result is required.
Frequently asked questions
How do I run a CarJam number plate check?
Go to the official carjam.co.nz website, enter the plate and confirm the returned vehicle identity. CarJam also accepts VIN or chassis searches. Check the result timestamp before relying on status information.
Do I need a CarJam login?
CarJam lists casual access with no registration required, but a free account can provide different identifier access, features and registered-user pricing. Check the current account terms before signing up.
Why is a WOF or rego update missing from CarJam?
Some free basic results are served from cached data. A recent WOF, COF or licence change may not appear until the underlying record is refreshed. Confirm current legal status through NZTA when timing matters.
Is CarJam legitimate and reliable?
CarJam is an established private NZ vehicle-information provider, not a government agency. Its reports can be useful, but reliability depends on source coverage and freshness, so confirm identifiers, timestamps and critical facts independently.
Is CarJam free in New Zealand?
CarJam lists free stolen checks and free cached basic reports. Some lookups or fuller information require payment, and the available free fields can depend on caching and account status.
Is CarJam an official NZ government website?
No. CarJam is a private vehicle-information provider. It says its reports use official and proprietary data sources, but the service itself is not NZTA, New Zealand Police or PPSR.
Does CarJam show money owing on a car?
CarJam advertises money-owing information in its full report and separate PPSR products. Confirm exactly what the purchased product searches, its timestamp and whether previous plates are included.
Does a CarJam report replace a pre-purchase inspection?
No. A database report cannot assess the current engine, transmission, battery, tyres, hidden damage or overall mechanical condition. Arrange an appropriate independent inspection.
Can a clear CarJam report guarantee a safe purchase?
No. It is one source of evidence. Match the identifiers, verify the seller, check finance and ownership risks, inspect the car and review current official information before buying.
Put the guide into practice
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