Disputes when buying a car

If you've bought a vehicle and something goes wrong, your rights depend on if you bought it from a motor vehicle trader or privately.

Check with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) for updates on agents, registrations, and scam alerts.

NZTA

Buying from a trader

You’re covered if you buy a vehicle from a trader, even if you’ve bought from an auction or online. Dealers must identify themselves as traders online.

Find out about common problems, your rights and what to do:

Solving issues with your car dealer

You can complain to the Commerce Commission if you think the trader has misled you or their adverts made false claims — but you cannot complain to them about faulty vehicles.

Complain to the Commerce Commission

Buying a car privately

If you buy a car from a private person, you’re not covered by the same laws that cover buying from traders.

Solving issues with your private seller

Utility links and page information

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