Buying a car

Many international students try to buy a car as soon as they arrive in New Zealand.

In some countries it's standard practice to buy brand new cars, but in New Zealand it's quite common and acceptable to buy second-hand or imported used cars.

There are several ways to find a used vehicle to buy. The New Zealand Herald, TradeMe (an online auction website) and local community newspapers are frequently used to advertise cars for sale. You can also check out the local car fairs, such as the fair at Ellerslie Racecourse every Sunday morning. Of course, there are also plenty of authorised car dealers who can sell you a new or used vehicle.

If you decide to look for a used vehicle, there are some things you should check before you buy. Nobody wants to buy a “lemon” (a car that doesn't work too well!).

Guidelines for buying a car

1. If you're not sure about the condition of the car, a pre-purchase check will provide you with a written report about faults - major and minor. Pre-purchase inspections can be organised with New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) or mobile operators such as Hometune.

2. Request a Vehicle Information Report on 0800 843 847 to check the history of the car.

This service checks:

whether there is any money still owing on the car
if the car has been stolen
if the odometer reading has been altered
the history of the car.

All you need is the registration number (on the number plate) and the make of the car. Information about the car will be advised over the telephone and followed up by a formal written report sent through the mail. This service costs $25.

Anyone who buys a car that is stolen or has money owing on it runs the risk of having the vehicle repossessed by its original owner. If that happens, you lose your money and the car. It is a serious crime to knowingly purchase a stolen vehicle.

3. If you are buying a vehicle privately (not from a car dealer), be cautious if the seller only provides a mobile phone number.

4. Go to where the vehicle is on sale rather than have the person bring the vehicle to you. A dishonest seller is unlikely to allow a prospective purchaser to visit a home address. When at the address where the vehicle is, try to work out if the seller actually lives there.

5. Check that the name on the vehicle registration papers matches the seller’s name by looking at their driver’s licence.

6. Get the vehicle's Certificate of Registration from the seller. Complete the change of ownership form (MR13 or MR13B) and give it to an LTSA agent, such as the Post Office, within seven days of buying the vehicle.

7. Always obtain a proper receipt. Ensure the receipt is detailed, showing name, address, and a description of the vehicle. Include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), chassis number and the engine number, sale price and signature of the seller.

8. Always ask the seller for personal identification. It’s best to pay by personal or bank cheque, made out to the seller of the car. This will give you a better chance of tracking down the seller if you later discover the car was stolen.

9. A car must have a valid Warrant of Fitness (WOF) and a Motor Vehicle Registration before it can be driven on a public road. It is your responsibility to ensure your car has these or you could be fined $200 for each offence.

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