4 min read

Can foreigners buy a car in New Zealand?

Traversing New Zealand in a private vehicle lets you get the most out of your holiday.
By
Can foreigners buy a car in New Zealand?

Car transport services at low-cost across NZ

Expert car shipping service, trusted by thousands of car owners across NZ.
Car type
Newshub Stuff SCOOP Yahoo!

New Zealand is an ideal country for exploring by car. With its breathtaking landscapes and no shortage of scenic routes, traversing the country in a private vehicle lets you get the most out of your holiday.

If you're a foreigner considering buying a car in New Zealand, you may have questions about the process, requirements, costs, and other important factors.

Why buy a car for your holiday in New Zealand?

If you plan on travelling in New Zealand for an extended period of time, buying a car is a cost-effective option. New Zealand is a long narrow country with many sparsely populated towns. Most of the attractions are based around adventure sports, beautiful natural landscapes, or national parks. To get to these places, you need a vehicle.

Is buying a car the best way to explore New Zealand?

First of all, you can always book a spot on a bus tour. There are lots of different types of tours, some more guided than others, that will take you to all the main areas of interest. While this is a great way to see the country, it doesn’t allow for much personalised travel. If you want to spend an extra night in one location, move on quickly, or explore the many small towns or geographical areas that are off the beaten path, you’ll likely miss out by travelling with a tour bus.

Another option is a car or van hire service. Hire cars or vans are a great option as you can explore the country for as long as you like via any route you like. The only downside is the cost. It costs between $40/day - $150/day to hire a car. The price increases depending on what type and size of car you hire, but you can easily spend $3,000-$4,000 on the price of hiring a car or campervan alone.

The third option is buying a car. If you are travelling for more than a month, buying a car is often worth the investment. If you are only in New Zealand for three weeks, don’t waste precious time trying to buy and sell a vehicle to buy. However, if you plan on being here for an extended period, buying a car can save you thousands of dollars.

Can Foreigners Buy a Car in New Zealand?

Yes, foreigners can buy a car in New Zealand, even if they are non-residents or tourists. You don’t need anything in particular to buy a car in New Zealand. However, it is easier to buy a car with a New Zealand driver’s licence for identification. Getting an NZ driver’s licence is relatively straightforward for most nationalities. We cover how here.

If you have a NZ driver’s licence, you can complete the vehicle purchase online. Otherwise, you must fill out some paper forms at an NZ Post Shop or AA centre.

Finding the Right Car

When it comes to purchasing a car, the second-hand market in New Zealand is a popular choice for both locals and foreigners. Used cars offer excellent value for money, and you shouldn’t have any trouble finding something that fits the bill.

Websites like Trade Me, Turners, and Autotrader are great online platforms for searching for a wide range of used cars available throughout the country. Additionally, you can explore local car dealerships and notice boards for more options.

Popular affordable car brands in New Zealand are:

  • Toyota

  • Hyundai

  • Subaru

  • Honda

  • Mazda

Cost and Condition

The average cost of a used car in New Zealand varies depending on factors such as age, make, model, mileage, and condition. As a general guideline, you can expect to find vehicles in the range of NZD $2,000 to $5,000. Spending any more on a vehicle could mean you’ll lose money when you sell it in a few months' time.

It's important to note that prices can vary significantly, and conducting thorough research will help you make an informed decision. Consider the vehicle's service history, Warrant of Fitness (WoF) expiry date, and whether it has a current registration.

Vehicle Inspection and History Check

Before making a purchase, it's a good idea to have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic or an authorised inspection service. This step ensures you know of any potential issues or hidden defects. You can take your vehicle to VTNZ for a pre-purchase inspection. These are around $100 and will ensure a trusted, licenced and independent mechanic checks the car over.

Ownership Transfer and Insurance

Once you've chosen a car, the next step is to transfer ownership. Both the buyer and the seller need to complete the appropriate forms, which are available from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) website. It's also essential to arrange insurance coverage before driving the vehicle. Comprehensive insurance will protect you against potential accidents, theft, and damage.

Purchasing a car in New Zealand as a foreigner is pretty easy and will give you the best bang for your buck when it comes to balancing your itinerary and your budget.

Need help getting your vehicle delivered to your door? Find a trusted vehicle mover on Wise Move.

Car transport services at low-cost across NZ

Expert car shipping service, trusted by thousands of car owners across NZ.
Car type
Newshub Stuff SCOOP Yahoo!

What do our customers say?

Read reviews of Wise Move to learn stories from our customers.
$649
Subaru Impreza
Rolleston, Canterbury
Hokitika, West Coast
10
Philippe
Reviewed 3 minutes ago
Amazing service easy to deal with,communication throughout delivery process excellent. Price wise very reasonable and delivery driver was awesome. Very happy customer thanks NVD definitely recommend their services
$1,345
Toyota Vanguard
Christchurch, Canterbury
Taranaki
10
John
Reviewed 14 hours ago
Mark From ASAP car transport was awesome his price was great he let me know everything along the way highly recommend company would definitely use again cheers Mark and team
$105
Suzuki Swift
Takanini, Auckland
Auckland, Manukau City Centre
10
Tariq
Reviewed 1 day ago
Repeat services from him, exceeded my expectation as usual. Thanks for your kind services :)
$250
Dairy Flat, Auckland
Snells Beach, Auckland
10
Brendan
Reviewed 1 day ago
Great service from Colin. Got the job done the very next day following the booking with no fuss, professional throughout, had the right gear for the job. Couldn't have been any easier really. Cheers mate.
$250
Peugeot 207
Wellington
Levin, Manawatū-Whanganui
10
ThermoCouple
Reviewed 2 days ago
Harley is a champ as always, very professional... highly recommended
$1,995
Mini Countryman
Lake Hāwea, Otago
Raglan, Waikato
10
Liana
Reviewed 2 days ago
Good price and great service, who needs a 20 hour road trip when they have Nick.
$1,400
Subaru 1998 wrx sti
Hawera, Taranaki
Ashburton, Canterbury
10
Todd
Reviewed 2 days ago
Excellent, looking forward to doing further business in the future
$2,095
Waiuku, Auckland
Invercargill, Southland
10
Leeanne
Reviewed 2 days ago
Brilliant carrier highly commend

For every (wise)move

TradeMe purchase pickup and delivery service across NZ
TradeMe Delivery
Get your heavy-large TradeMe purchase picked up and delivered by our movers anywhere in NZ.
Learn more
Car transport nz
Car Transport
Our professional car transport teams from across New Zealand are the best at what they do.
Learn more
Motorbike transport nz
Motorcycle Transport
Our pros take everything into consideration when ensuring the safety and well-being of your bike.
Learn more
Piano transport
Piano Move
Moving a piano requires the expertise to ensure is kept safe and protected on the road.
Learn more
Furniture removals
Furniture Removals
Our teams will treat your possessions like they would their own, ensuring that the greatest care and diligence is taken.
Learn more
Pet transport nz
Pet Transport
During the transport our teams will ensure full care, well-being and friendliness as if they were our own.
Learn more
Boat transport nz
Boat Transport
Our transport teams will ensure your boats will be delivered safely, efficiently and on time.
Learn more