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Buying a imported used car from a car yard. The car is stated as certified by VTNZ. What did VTNZ certify, Do I still need to do pre purchase inspection for this car? I don't even know whether the car dealer would allow me to take his vehicle for inspection since the inspection may take long?...

This will be the Entry Certification inspection (otherwise known as Compliance). All this means is that the vehicle has been legally certified to be used on our roads and does not take the place of a Pre-purchase Inspection. The compliance inspection does not check the mechanical condition of the vehicle, whether or not the engine or transmission are in good condition etc.
If the dealer won't allow the car to be inspected, I'd be very suspicious, therefore I'd go and buy a car elsewhere.