How to Buy a Used Car in New Zealand

New Zealand has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. Each year more travelers take advantage of the rustic beauty and magnificent scenery of New Zealand. Many visitors use public transportation to make their way around the island. Some however choose to drive themselves around. One option for driving involves renting a car, but some visitors, especially those who plan to stay for a longer period of time, choose to buy a used car. This allows them to easily navigate their way around New Zealand and resell the car when they prepare to leave.

Instructions

1

Locate used cars for sale in New Zealand. Check used car dealers. Find used car dealers on the Internet. Check car fairs or park-and-sell yards, located through the internet. Look for a private dealer who wants to sell a car. New Zealand Internet auction or sales sites, and New Zealand Craigslist can provide good leads for locating a used car.

2

Check the car to ascertain its condition. Check the car's bodywork (dents, paint, rust, chipping), under the hood (oil level and cleanliness, cooling fluid level, hose/drive belt cracks, signs of oil leaks) inside the car (upholstry, seat condition, signs of leaks), odometer reading and control functions.

3

Take the car for a test drive to ascertain its performance on the road. Pay attention to the car's smells (burning oil?) and sounds (screeches, grinding), and watch for any smoke. Make sure that the clutch and gears engage smoothly and that the brakes hold firmly on hills.

4

Arrange for a pre-purchase inspection. Approved testing centers will inspect the car before purchase and issue a Warrant of Fitness, which verifies the car's safety and road fitness. New Zealand law mandates a yearly inspection and Warrant of Fitness. Find testing centers through an Internet search or through the New Zealand Transport Agency (see Resources).

5

Settle on an agreed price. Pay in New Zealand dollars. International Monetary Conversion sites will show the correct conversion rate to New Zealand dollars.

6

Register the car in the new owner's name. The New Zealand Transport Agency bears responsibility for registration of vehicles to their new owners throughout New Zealand.