Local community organisations, clubs, courses and programmes
New car, motorbike, boat
Buying a new - or new for you - car, bike or boat can be fraught with difficulties.
What to buy?
There are a few sources that can help with car buying:
- Internet gateway: transport links to many of the more useful online sources such as the ‘Dog and Lemon guide’, road tests and reviews, and car clubs and magazines.
- The NZ Consumer’s Institute has a useful online guide to buying a car.
Classic cars
- Read a guide to classic car resources.
- Read a guide motorhomes and campervans.
Boat buying
- Used boats – purchasing: guides to buying a second-hand boat.
- Boating magazines may also have useful information.
Motorcycles
- Motorcycles – purchasing: guides to buying a new bike.
- Motorcycle magazines may also have useful information.
- Motorcycle Trader includes handy tips for buying a motorcycle and Motorcycle.com has reviews for a wide range of bikes.
Car, boat and motorbike magazines online
Who to buy from?
If you’re not sure of the legitimacy of the company you’re dealing with, you can check on them in New Zealand’s Motor Vehicle Traders Register (MVTR): a public register that contains information about whether a motor vehicle trader is registered, and information about the trader’s business, including its physical address.
Online in New Zealand
- Don’t forget New Zealand’s biggest online auction site Trade Me.
- Trade-A-Boat, Autotrader, Motorcycle Trader: all three let you browse and search for new or used vehicles.
What checks to do?
You need to check whether the vehicle is legitimately for sale and that it is worth the purchase price.
- Don’t buy a stolen boat – advice from the NZ Police
- Checking if a vehicle is stolen
Several services can tell you if the car is stolen, has outstanding finance, the current warrant and registration status ownership history, etc., for a price.
A number of services can assess the car for you. Many dealers will offer a check as part of the sales deal. Be aware that these checks are done for the dealer and are not the same as the check that will be done for you as a buyer. If you have your own trusted mechanics, they may do the check for you, which can have some advantages.
On the road / in the water
Once you’ve got it home don’t forget that we have an excellent collection of motor manuals and repair guides should it need a bit of TLC. You may also want to contact the local car owners, motorcycle or boating clubs which are listed in CINCH.
