Find out what to do if you have problems with a car dealer in New Zealand. Learn your rights under consumer law and steps for refunds, repairs or complaints.
Your rights if something goes wrong
If there’s a problem with your car after purchase and it’s not your fault, you have more options if you bought from a car dealer. This is because buying from a dealer gives you many more consumer rights than if you buy privately.
Dealers must:
- comply with the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA), which gives you guarantees for new and used vehicles
- comply with the Fair Trading Act (FTA) and not mislead you — if they sell online, they must tell you they are a car dealer
- be registered and comply with the Motor Vehicle Sales Act (MVSA)
- display an accurate Consumer Information Notice (CIN) on used vehicles.
This applies whether you pay cash, get the car as a gift or buy on lease or on finance. You have these rights no matter if you buy from a car dealer online, from a car yard or at an auction.
Note: a car market operator – sometimes called “a park and sell” operator is not required to be a registered dealer.
Consumer guarantees when you buy from a dealer
The CGA guarantees mean the vehicle should be:
- of acceptable quality – reasonable in look and finish, durable and safe
- fit for purpose – either generally or to meet a specific purpose you told the dealer before you bought the vehicle
- as described – match the description in advertising or anything the dealer said at the time.
If one of your guarantees hasn’t been met, you have a right to go back to the dealer for a repair, and if circumstances permit, a replacement or refund.
You are not covered by the CGA if your vehicle is:
- bought from a private seller
- bought for business use and the dealer has contracted out of the CGA
- bought for re-sale or resupply in trade.