Looking for a new car? If you’re in New Zealand, finding your perfect match can take a little more legwork than just heading down to your local dealership.
Whether you are a vintage enthusiast, want to buy brand new, or have a very specific vision for your next ride, buying a car in another city can be the trick to getting exactly what you want. But there are also a few extra considerations that protect both your vehicle and your wallet.
Our guide will walk you through everything you need to know about buying a car in another city, from searching and making a purchase to getting it delivered to your door.
In New Zealand’s car market, a bigger city typically means more choice.
New Zealand is a small country with no car manufacturing industry of its own. Instead, we import around 100,000 second-hand vehicles from places like Japan, China, and South Korea each year, with another 150,000 new cars arriving from similar markets.
While that is a lot of vehicles to choose from, these vehicles aren’t distributed equally around the country. Instead, the vast majority of cars are shipped to our biggest cities. Here’s how it breaks down:
While some of these cars are distributed to other smaller towns nearby, the majority of registrations by NZTA each year are from cars in the Auckland region. On numbers alone, you can see why buying a car in another city can make a lot of sense.
If buying a car in another city in New Zealand sounds too hard, we have good news. You don’t actually have to leave the couch (yet). You can start your search online.
TradeMe is New Zealand’s biggest online marketplace, and every year, around 1 million cars are listed on the site. That’s a lot of choices!
Here’s why TradeMe is the best place to start:
Just to be safe, read our expert tips on how to safely buy a car off TradeMe.
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Turners Cars is one of New Zealand’s largest used car dealers and auction houses, with branches all over the country. It has:
Facebook Marketplace has become a popular place to find cars in New Zealand, especially at the cheaper end of the market. The platform doesn’t charge a listing or selling fee, but… this also means you won’t get any of the pre-purchase info that TradeMe or Turner’s supplies.
The main advantage of Facebook Marketplace is price and accessibility – great for second-hand buyers. That said, there’s less built-in protection or background information compared to TradeMe. Many have been scammed on Facebook, so be careful.
If you want a background check on the car or fuel efficiency info, you’ll need to do the legwork yourself.
Buying directly from car dealerships is a great option. In New Zealand, you’ll find much more choice in our largest centres, especially when it comes to electric vehicles. Most dealerships, whether they specialise in new or second-hand vehicles, have an online presence.
The biggest advantage of buying from a dealership is peace of mind. You’ll get a vehicle that’s been checked, serviced, and comes with a warranty.
We know that searching for a car that’s just right takes time, but it’s important not to rush the process. This is especially true if you are buying second-hand or sight-unseen. There are a few important steps you should take before you hand any money over.
Either you or someone you trust should test drive the vehicle before you buy it. There’s no returns policy on a second-hand vehicle bought between private sellers in New Zealand, so a test drive is a must!
Tip: Test drive your chosen vehicle at around 50 km/h and on the open road. If it’s a manual, shift through each gear, from first to fifth, to check how smoothly it changes. For both manual and automatic cars, leave the vehicle in neutral for a minute to observe how it idles.
Even the most honest of sellers may not realise that their car has an issue under the hood.
While a pre-purchase inspection will cost you money (around NZ$150), it could help you avoid thousands in maintenance costs. A pre-purchase inspection includes checking the engine, brakes, suspension, structure, electrical systems, and taking the vehicle for a test drive.
Tip: You can get a pre-purchase inspection by any mechanic or at Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ).
One simple way to make sure you’re buying a legitimate second-hand vehicle (and not a stolen car) is to check that the seller’s name matches who the car is registered to.
Ask the seller for:
You can then check the registered person through the NZ Transport Agency. While it’s common for people to sell vehicles on behalf of friends or family, the seller should be able to confirm the identity of the registered person.
Tip: A simple extra step is to ask for photo ID from the registered person.
A money owing report will show whether or not there is money owing on the vehicle, whether it’s been reported stolen or if the car has been written off or damaged. If money is still owing, the lender may still have a legal claim over the car, even after you’ve paid the seller.
TradeMe often includes this information for free on each listing. Otherwise, you can run a vehicle check through a provider like:
With private sales, there’s little protection for both buyers and sellers from scam artists. The easiest way to keep yourself protected is to not rush the payment process. Here are some ways you can protect yourself:
Bank transfer is the most common option in New Zealand, but you should only do this once you’re confident the seller is legitimate. If you can, paying in person is even better, especially if you’re able to view the car yourself or have someone do it on your behalf.
Tip: Watch out for anyone requesting a payment or delivery method that is considered unusual in New Zealand (like FedEx, a wire payment or using a cheque).
Buying a car in another city means that you’ll need a plan for getting it home. There are 3 main modes of transporting your vehicle from the seller to your door after a private sale.
Now that you’ve got the keys, it’s time to drive your new purchase home.
This is the most affordable option, but it:
A professional driver delivers your car directly to you. It’s quick, secure, and personal
Your car rides on an open or covered truck, sometimes alongside other vehicles. Here’s what you should know:
Find out more about what vehicle in transit insurance covers in our complete guide.
Booking a professional car transport that fits your budget is easy with Wise Move. Just enter your pickup and delivery locations, your timeline, and the details of your car, and you’ll receive quotes from multiple transport providers, all in one place.
Even better, you can read reviews and compare past job ratings before choosing a provider, so you know you’re getting a reliable service at a fair price.
Ready to get your car home? Start your booking with Wise Move now.
