Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases most of us make, so it pays to do it in the right order.
Here's how to buy a car in New Zealand, from setting your budget to changing ownership, plus the checks that can save you from an expensive mistake.
Looking for Instant Finance cars for sale?
We don't sell cars. Our car yard, Easy Driver, closed in August 2025.
But we can finance a car you buy from a dealer or a private seller.
See our car loans.
Last updated November 2026.
Start with your budget: include running costs like fuel, registration, WOF and insurance, not just the price.
Sort your finance before you shop, so you know exactly what you can spend.
Dealer or private: dealer sales are covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act; private sales generally aren't.
Check the car before you pay: on the PPSR for money owing, on the NZ Police database to make sure it isn't stolen, and with a pre-purchase inspection.
Change of ownership: once you've bought it, both you and the seller need to notify NZ Transport Agency. You can do it online.
Insurance: have it in place before you drive away.
Think about what the car is for: how many seats, how much boot space, town or open-road driving, fuel economy. Then set a budget that covers the running costs too: fuel, registration, WOF, insurance, servicing and tyres.
Our guide to financing a car has a checklist of what it costs to own a car.
If you're borrowing, get your finance sorted before you start looking, so you know exactly what you can spend and can negotiate with confidence.
With Instant Finance, you can get pre-approved for a car loan and then choose your car from a dealer or a private seller.
Dealers: cars bought from a registered dealer are covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act, and dealers may offer a warranty. Prices are often higher.
Private sellers: often cheaper, but private sales generally aren't covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act, so the checks in the next step matter even more.
Money owing: search the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). You'll need to register, and there's a small search fee.
Stolen? Check the NZ Police stolen vehicles database.
History: a vehicle history report shows the odometer history, past owners and whether it was imported with damage.
WOF and registration: make sure both are current.
Mechanical condition: get a pre-purchase inspection, especially for a private sale.
Our guide to vehicle checks covers what to look for yourself.
Drive it on different roads, including the motorway if you can, with the radio off so you can listen for odd noises.
Ask the seller whether you're insured while you test drive, as you may be responsible for any damage.
Compare prices for similar cars before you make an offer. When you pay, get a receipt signed by you and the seller that includes the car's details, the agreed price, the date of purchase, and both your names and addresses.
Once the car is yours, both you and the seller need to notify NZ Transport Agency of the change of ownership. You can do it online.
Arrange insurance before you drive off. If you've borrowed to buy the car, your lender may require it as a condition of the loan.
Why are you selling?
How has the car been used?
Has it been in any accidents?
Have there been any major mechanical problems?
When was it last serviced, and how new are the tyres?
Set your budget, sort your finance, choose a dealer or private seller, check the car (PPSR, NZ Police stolen vehicles database and a pre-purchase inspection), test drive it, pay and get a receipt, then both you and the seller notify NZ Transport Agency of the change of ownership. Have insurance in place before you drive away.
No. Instant Finance doesn't sell cars. Our car yard, Easy Driver, closed in August 2025. But we can finance a car you buy from a dealer or a private seller, with car loans from $500 to $50,000.
Generally, no. KiwiSaver can only be withdrawn early in specific situations, such as buying your first home, serious illness, significant financial hardship or moving overseas permanently, and buying a car isn't one of the standard reasons.
Dealer cars are covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act and may come with a warranty, but they usually cost more. Private sales are often cheaper but generally aren't covered, so it's important to check the car on the PPSR and the NZ Police database and get a pre-purchase inspection.
Yes. When a car is sold, both the buyer and the seller need to notify NZ Transport Agency of the change of ownership. You can do it online.
