In Three Easy Steps, You Can Buy A Car
These are the steps to buying a car New Zealand. Check out all of our articles about the topic.
- Step 1: Car inspection
- Step 2: Test drive
- Step 3: Car purchase (this article)
- Step 4 (Bonus), Backpackers car insurance
Vehicle Ratings
You can check the rating of the car by sitting down and reviewing the paperwork. You might be interested in five ratings:
- Test ANCAP
- Safety rating for used cars
- Rating of fuel economy
- Air pollution rating
- CO2 emission rating.
Ask the seller for information or look online to find the exact model number of the vehicle. This will allow you to get accurate ratings.
The Warrant Of Fitness (WOF).
A valid Warrant of Fitness should be obtained for any vehicle that is sold in New Zealand. It must not be older than one month. A COF is a Certificate of Fitness that can be used for heavy vehicles such as campervans. A WOF certifies that the vehicle has passed safety and roadworthiness inspections.
A WOF in auckland is not pre-purchase inspection. It is simply a mandatory check to ensure that the car meets the required standards.
We advise you to not purchase a car without a valid WOF.
Consumer Information Notice (CIN).
A Consumer Information Notice (CIN) should be provided to you if you deal with a professional dealer. The document will be given to you by a professional dealer and not a private seller. It contains all relevant information, including the price of your vehicle.
Information contained in the Consumer Information Notice (CIN).
- Year of New Zealand registration
- Reading of the odometer
- Mention of damage at importation
- Vehicle information: Make, model, year of manufacturing, and any other legal information
- Contact details for the dealer and registration
- Securities registered on the vehicle.
Debt Check
We strongly recommend that you run a quick credit check before purchasing a car from a private seller. This will let you see if the vehicle has been used to secure any credit. You should remember that if you have outstanding debts on the car you are purchasing, even if they aren’t yours; your car may be taken away and you won’t be able to contest it.
Sales Agreement
A sales agreement will include all terms and conditions of the sale. Only professional dealers can provide it.
As part of negotiations, there may be an additional fee called a “documentation charge”. It may be waived, though. It is important to carefully read any agreement before you sign it.
Certificate of Registration
This form displays the list of current owners for the car. It is very easy to use. Simply compare the ID with the seller’s to verify that you are purchasing the car from the rightful owner.
You must have valid ID to drive in New Zealand. This includes a driver’s licence in English, an international driver license, or a New Zealand driver license.
Transfer of ownership
This document is the most important on this list. This form is required by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). It will specify who is responsible for the car, and who will be responsible for paying any fines or other fees. You can do this online at the NZTA website. However, you will need a New Zealand driver’s license to complete the online form. Each seller and you will need to fill out a form.
Buyer’s form: MR13B
Seller’s form: MR13A
You can also find paper forms at any NZ Post office and AA insurance centre if you prefer the old-fashioned paper form.
This is the usual order.
- The vehicle is paid for by the buyer
- Both the seller and buyer must complete the respective Change of Ownership forms.
Get Insurance
While it is not required to have insurance for driving in New Zealand we recommend that you do so. New Zealand’s roads can be difficult to navigate. Even if your driving skills are excellent, others behind you may not be. New Zealand backpacker insurance is affordable, so make sure you get it done as soon as possible.
