Thoughts to entering a used car deal on budget vacations in New Zealand arise with plans for travelling a longer period or with confrontation of the age clause for rental cars .
Responsibilities, coming with buying a used car
Once you found a second hand car that fulfils your requirements it is a simple process to transfer the ownership. Both seller and buyer sign the certificate of ownership. The form returned to any post office inclusive a fee around $10 makes it official.
After two to three weeks, the certificate of ownership is in your mail. Evident is to provide a postal address where you are at this time in New Zealand.
Other fees that go hand in hand with your car are the registration fee, for every car, and road user charges, for diesel-cars only, all payable at any post office. The registration fee adjusts to car, van, petrol or diesel and time. For a three months time period petrol cars cost $56 and diesel vans cost $ 80. Road user charges (RUS) are $35 per 1000km payable in advance.
Car insurance in New Zealand is not obligatory, though recommended is third party insurance that covers accidental damage on property like cars.
Where to find a used car deal
First, weigh up the pros and cons whether to choose a car dealer or a private seller. Determine what exactly your are looking for and the budget set.
some offer appraised cars , that have received a mechanical check
Private car seller
Cheaper
It should have
A warrant of fitness (WOF), less than twenty eight days old (found in the right top corner of the front window )
A valid registration (found in the left bottom corner of the front window)
for diesel-cars compare the road user charges (RUC) with the odometer found in the left corner
For your peace of mind
A pre-inspection gives information on the mechanical condition of the car. This service is available in centres or mobile.
The vehicle history report, details how many owner, odometer readings at different times, ownership details (stolen vehicle), and most importantly about finance owing. Finance owing with the car as security affects automatically the new owner. The lender may take the car if the loan remains unpaid. - This report can be ordered by phone.
Find a private used car seller
TradeMe an online auction, the New Zealand version of Ebay
Trade and Exchange, Autotrader and go auto are popular magazines
often cars for sale are positioned along busy roads
Car fairs,
Auckland's biggest one is Auckland Car Fair at Ellerslie Racecourse, Greenlane, Auckland; held every Sunday between 9am and 12am
Auckland City Car Fair Corner of Halsey & Gaunt Street, Auckland City, Auckland; held on Saturday between 9am and 1pm
Travellers often sell and buy their vehicles at the Backpacker’s Car Market or on backpacker noticeboards
At the end when your used car deal fulfilled its services and you resold the car remember to record the transfer at a post office. Otherwise, your name links to future tickets and fines.