Tips to buy 2nd Car in New Zealand

If you do decide to buy a used vehicle - and it may be the cheaper option for you - there are some key pointers you should take note of. There are some things you should check before you buy, to make sure the car has no debt on it and is owned by the person selling it to you.There are also some tips below on how to avoid buying a 'lemon' (a car that doesn't work too well!).

Please read the guidelines below and take the necessary pre-cautions when buying a second-hand or used car - especially via private sale!
1. If you're not sure about how well the car runs or if it has some major mechanical problems, you can have it checked out by an expert for a fee. They will check all the main areas of the car and provide you with a report about what doe and does not work well. This report should also contain information about anything serious that may need to be repaired or replaced in the very near future. This is called a Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection Report and can be obtained from organisations such as the New Zealand Automobile Association (AA) or Hometune.
2. If you're buying a second-hand or used car you should ring a service called Vehicle Information Report - tel. 0800 843 847 - to check the history of that car.
This service checks:
· Whether there is any money still owing on the car;
· If the car has been stolen;
· If the odometer reading has been altered;
· The history of the car।
All you need is the registration number (on the number plate) and the make of the car. Information about the car will be advised over the telephone and followed up by a formal written report sent through the mail. This service costs $25.
Anyone who buys a stolen car or one that has money owing to a finance company runs the risk of having the vehicle repossessed by its original owner. If that happens, you lose your money and the car. It is also important to know that it is a serious crime to knowingly purchase a stolen vehicle or stolen vehicle parts.
3. If you are buying a vehicle privately - most often these sales are advertised in the newspapers or on the Internet - be cautious when dealing with a seller who only provides a mobile phone number.
4. Go to where the vehicle is on sale rather than have the person bring the vehicle to you. A dishonest seller is unlikely to allow a prospective purchaser to visit a home address. When at the address where the vehicle is, try to work out if the seller actually lives there.
5. Always be careful when checking the vehicle registration papers against the driver's license to see if they belong to the same person.
6. Get the vehicle's Certificate of Registration from the seller. Complete the change of ownership form (MR13 or MR13B) and give it to an LTSA agent, such as the Post Office within seven days of buying the vehicle.
7. Always obtain a proper receipt. Ensure the receipt is detailed, showing name, address, and a description of the vehicle. Include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), chassis number and the engine number, sale price and signature of the seller.
8. Always ask the seller for personal identification. Try not to pay cash and, if paying by cheque or money order, address it to the seller of the car. By doing that you will have a better chance of tracking down the seller if you later discover the car was stolen.
9. All cars in New Zealand must have a valid Warrant of Fitness (WOF) and a Motor Vehicle Registration to be able to be used on the roads. It is your responsibility to ensure that these two items are obtained before driving the car, or you could be fined $200 for each offence.