How to use your rights to solve common problems such as faulty vehicles, misleading statements and money owing on the vehicle from a previous owner.

You bought a car privately if:

  • you bought directly from a private seller
  • a trader provided a venue for private sellers but was not involved in the sale, eg a car market.

Common problems with a private seller

The most common problems with buying vehicles privately include:

  • ‘buying a lemon’. For example, a faulty or water damaged car
  • being misled about a vehicle’s make, price, quality or performance
  • the seller still owing money to a finance company, in which case your vehicle may be repossessed.

Your rights if something goes wrong

If you were persuaded to buy a car based on misleading statements from a private seller, you may be able to get a refund or compensation under the Contract and Commercial Law Act (CCLA). 

You may also make a claim under the CCLA if the seller:

  • still owed money on the car and was dishonest with you about it
  • didn’t have the right to sell the car, eg didn’t own the car.

Otherwise, you have very few legal protections. Private sellers do not have to comply with the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) or the Fair Trading Act (FTA). This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t contact the seller to try to work out a solution to the problem.

It’s important to get as much information as you can about the condition of the car before you buy it.

Find out if you have the right to a remedy

Know your rights if you bought a car from a private seller and the:


What to do if you have a problem

Contact the seller and explain the problem before you do anything else.

You should contact the seller yourself – or have someone else do it for you – if you have bought a vehicle and:

  • were misled into doing so, either by false advertising or something the seller has said
  • the vehicle is faulty, water damaged or unsafe
  • you find out there is money owing on the vehicle.

Often by contacting the private seller, you can work out an arrangement between the two of you. This might include:

  • some kind of refund
  • the seller paying for mechanical work
  • an alternative arrangement.

It is important you don’t give up without trying.

Always talk to the seller first. If they disagree or refuse to deal with the issue, get a report from a mechanic or inspection service.

If you bought from an auctioneer, and purchased an extended warranty or breakdown insurance, you may have extra protection. Read the terms and conditions of the contract or policy to see if you are covered and how to make a claim.

If the vehicle is sold online through Trade Me, you’ve been through these steps, and still can’t reach a resolution with the seller you can file a dispute report to give Trade Me feedback.

What to expect when you approach the seller

When you go back to the seller:

  • Bring any proof of purchase and evidence of the problem, eg a copy of the original advert, any agreements or documents you signed, a mechanic’s report and photographs of the fault or water damage.
  • Know what outcome you want.
  • Take a support person to witness the conversation.
  • Be honest and state the facts of the situation.
  • Try to remain calm and reasonable.

Be prepared to honestly answer questions a seller may ask you, including:

  • what the problem is, when it appeared and how often it appears
  • if anyone else, eg a mechanic, has looked at the car before you contacted them
  • if so, what they did to the car
  • how you have looked after the car, eg regular servicing, kilometres driven, etc.

How to complain


Next steps if the seller doesn’t agree

If you cannot solve your issue directly with the seller, you can take it to the Disputes Tribunal.

Disputes Tribunal

The Disputes Tribunal is similar to going to court, but is quicker, cheaper and less formal. Hearings are run by a referee rather than a judge, with no lawyers.

The Disputes Tribunal can hear disputes with private sellers — unlike the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal, which only deals with cases about motor vehicle traders.

How they can help

Private sellers are not bound by the same consumer laws that apply to registered motor vehicle traders. But the Disputes Tribunal may order the seller to:

  • cancel the sale and refund your money
  • pay compensation for the loss in value of the car.

How to make a claim(external link) — Disputes Tribunal


More help

Get support at any point from:

  • Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) — a free, independent service, run by volunteers. CAB can advise you on your consumer rights and obligations, in person, by phone, or online.
  • Community Law Centre — offers free one-on-one legal advice to people with limited finances. The organisation has 24 community law centres throughout the country. You can find legal information and other resources on its website.

Find a CAB(external link) — Citizens Advice Bureau

Our law centres(external link) — Community Law Centres