Cars can be purchased from a registered or unregistered motor vehicle trader, at a car auction or privately.

Traders

The safest way to buy a car is from a motor vehicle trader who is registered with the Motor Vehicle Traders Register. Registered traders are legally required to guarantee consumers ‘good title’ to a car. This means that the trader can legally sell the car and you will not be liable for any debts hanging over it, unless those debts were specifically pointed out to you in writing. This protection does not apply if you buy privately.

Traders must display a Supplier Information Notice on the vehicle, which should include such information as the vehicle’s make and model year of manufacture, number of kilometers travelled, and cash price including GST. Every vehicle sold by a trader must have a warrant of fitness less than one month old. To check if a trader is registered or banned, check the Motor Vehicle Traders Register website or call 0508 668 678.

Motor Vehicle Traders Register website

Trader Yards

There are a number of clusters of vehicle trader yards in the Wellington region to make shopping and comparing prices easier.

• Wellington - Cambridge/Kent Terrace, Taranaki Street
• Lower Hutt - Railway Avenue, High Street, Rutherford Street
• Upper Hutt - Main Street
• Paraparaumu - Rimu Road and Ihakara Street
• Porirua - Titahi Bay Road

Other Places to Buy

There are also regular vehicle auctions available in the greater Wellington area. The Yellow Pages have contact details of traders of new and used cars, motorbikes and trucks, and of motor vehicle auctions. Alternatively, you could buy privately. The Saturday and Wednesday editions of the Dominion Post list vehicles for sale.

Yellow Pages website

Inspections

Before buying a second-hand car, it pays to get it checked by an independent mechanic. The Automobile Association (AA) offers mobile vehicle inspections. Freephone: 0800 500 333.

Vehicle Testing New Zealand and a small number of other companies offer inspection services in the Wellington area.

Automobile Association website

Legal Requirements

• Change of ownership
  When you buy a car, you must take possession of the ownership papers, and ensure that Land Transport New Zealand is informed of the change in ownership. Land Transport New Zealand is responsible for land transport funding and the promotion of road safety and sustainability. Call freephone 0800 108 809 for more information. It is also advisable that you arrange car insurance immediately.
• Registration
  Every vehicle initially needs to be registered on the Motor Vehicle Register. Most people don’t need to worry about this as most cars are already registered before sale.
• Licensing
  All vehicle owners must pay an annual licence fee to Land Transport New Zealand. The fee varies depending on the type of vehicle, but is usually in the order of several hundred dollars.
  
  Several weeks before the current licence expires, a letter is sent to the owner alerting them to the need to renew it. Once the fee is paid (you can pay this at a Post Shop), the owner receives a label which shows the new expiry date. This must be displayed on the left hand side of the windscreen at all times.
• Warrant of Fitness
  Almost all vehicles must also have a warrant of fitness (WoF). Cars less than six years old need a WoF inspection every 12 months. Cars that are six years or older need an inspection every six months. An inspection will check that a vehicle is road worthy and safe to drive.
  
  Without a current licence and WoF, you face a hefty fine. You must also be aware that, in the event of an accident, your insurer will not pay out if your vehicle is unregistered, does not have a current WoF or if you are driving without a valid licence.

Related Links

• Before You Buy a Vehicle - Ministry of Consumer Affairs website
• Buying and Selling Cars - Land Transport New Zealand website
• Car Inspection Checklist - Consumer website
• Car Insurance - Insurance Council website
• Turners Price Check - Turners Auctions website