Whether you're upgrading or just ready to move your car on, selling it goes more smoothly with a bit of preparation.
Here's how to sell a car in New Zealand, step by step: getting it ready, pricing it, choosing how to sell, and changing the ownership.
Looking for Instant Finance cars? We don't sell cars. Our car yard, Easy Driver, closed in August 2025. But we can finance your next car, whether you buy it from a dealer or privately. See our car loans.
Last updated November 2026.
Check for finance first: if there's money owing on the car, the loan needs to be sorted before you sell.
Get it ready: a clean car with its service history and a current WOF and registration is easier to sell.
Price it realistically: compare similar cars for sale, and use online valuation tools as a guide.
Choose how to sell: privately online (often the best price, but more effort), trade in at a dealer (quicker and simpler), or sell to a car-buying service.
Stay safe: go along on test drives, and don't hand over the keys until the money has cleared.
Change the ownership: both you and the buyer need to notify NZ Transport Agency. You can do it online.
If you still owe money on the car and it's security for the loan, you'll need to pay off the loan, or agree another option with your lender, before you sell. See our guide to selling a car with finance owing.
Check it over: brakes, tyres, lights and electronics, like the stereo and air conditioning.
Get it serviced if it's due, and gather the service records and old WOF receipts. A good service history gives buyers confidence.
Make sure the WOF and registration are current.
Give it a thorough clean, inside and out.
Look at similar cars for sale (the same make, model, age and kilometres) and use online valuation tools as a guide. Then decide your asking price and the lowest price you'd accept. Make, model, age, kilometres, condition and demand all affect value.
Sell privately online: you'll usually get the best price, but it takes more time. You'll need to write the listing, answer enquiries, arrange viewings and handle the paperwork.
Trade in at a dealer: quicker and simpler, especially if you're buying from the same dealer, as the trade-in value comes off the price of your next car. You'll usually get less than a private sale.
Sell to a car-buying service: the fastest option, often with a quick offer, but usually for less again.
Include the make, model, year, kilometres, and service and WOF history.
Be upfront about any damage, and include a photo of it.
Use clear, well-lit photos of the inside and outside.
Set a realistic price, and expect buyers to negotiate.
Reply to enquiries promptly.
Meet in daylight, ideally somewhere public or with someone else around. Check the buyer's driver licence before a test drive, and go along for the ride.
Don't hand over the keys or the car until the full payment has cleared in your account. Be wary of buyers who want to pay more than the asking price, or who ask you to refund an overpayment.
Write up a receipt for both of you to sign, with the car's details, the price, the date, and both your names and addresses.
Once the car is sold, both you and the buyer need to notify NZ Transport Agency of the change of ownership. You can do it online. Until NZTA has been notified, you could still be treated as the owner, for example for tolls or speed camera fines.
Pricing it too high, or too low.
Not cleaning and preparing the car before listing it.
Being inflexible on price or viewing times.
Not having the paperwork ready, like service records and a current WOF and registration.
Handing over the car before the payment has cleared.
If you're selling to upgrade, we can help with finance for your next car, whether you buy from a dealer or privately. See our car loans, our guide to how to buy a car in NZ, or how to finance a car.
Already have a car loan with us? You may be able to move your loan across to your next car instead of paying it off. See selling a car with finance owing.
We won't let you get in over your head: we'll go through your budget with you to make sure the repayments fit. Find out more about responsible lending.
Get the car clean and ready, with its service history and a current WOF and registration. Price it against similar cars for sale, list it online with clear photos and an honest description, and don't hand over the keys until the payment has cleared. Then both you and the buyer notify NZ Transport Agency of the change of ownership.
Yes. You can notify NZ Transport Agency of the change of ownership online.
Yes. When a car is sold, both the seller and the buyer need to notify NZ Transport Agency of the change of ownership.
Yes, but if the car is security for the loan, the loan needs to be paid off, or another option agreed with your lender, before ownership changes hands. See our guide to selling a car with finance owing.
There's a $10.02 administration fee to cancel a vehicle's registration with NZ Transport Agency (as at November 2026). If the licence (rego) has already expired, you'll also need to pay the backdated licensing fees up to the date you cancel. If it hasn't expired yet, you'll get a refund for the unused portion.
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.
