One of the cars involved in a serious crash in East Auckland this morning appears to have failed its warrant of fitness.

A child was one of three people taken from the scene on Ti Rakau Drive in ambulances.

Two people were in a serious condition, the other in a moderate condition.

A Honda Civic was split in half and, records show, a car with the same license plate failed a warrant of fitness inspection just five days ago.

A witness to the crash, Kenneth Lim, says one car was completely mangled

Mr Lim says the back part of the car was completely boxed in from the impact, which sounded like a loud crunch.