The Christchurch Car Market gives BUYERS all the advice needed to purchase vehicle/s in a neutral environment.

We recommend to all buyers:

–  Legal checks for only $25

–  AA Roadside Service from only $49,

–  Mechanical checks for $80

–  Backpacker Motor Vehicle Insurance

You can get all of this right here at the Christchurch Car Market. Don't buy your vehicle and risk having your holiday destroyed by not doing a few simple checks.

This is for your safety. We have an on-line-exess of a New Zealand national database, which gives us all the information about the vehicle you are interested in purchasing.

It will provide you with the following information:

–  any money owing on the vehicle

–  registration and W.O.F. ('warrent of fitness') status of the vehicle

–  kilometers and full ownership history

–  if the car is stolen or has been stolen

–  if it’s of any interest to the police

The information will be supplied to you in print and as an email attachment or link if you request.
The fee is only $25.

This will let you know the mechanical condition of the vehicle you are thinking of purchasing and gives you peace of mind while travelling. We recommend several independent mechanics who can check the vehicle that you are interested in buying. The mechanical check will take around 45 minutes.
The fee is just $80.

We recommend that the change of ownership be done here on site. This way both the buyer and the seller know their legal obligations will have been met. This will protect both the buyer and seller from any fines, debts, registration fees etc owing or that may occur on the vehicle.

Please note that the change of ownership is a legal requirement. This can be done at the Christchurch Car Market and only takes a few minutes to complete; the fee we charge is $25.

We can arrange insurance for you on the spot at very competitive prices through a major insurance company that has an A+ Rating. This insurance has been set up and negotiated to give backpackers and travellers the best possible insurance policy with the most flexibility and at the best rates available on the market.

One price covers all drivers for or above the age bracket of the policy that you take out.
You can add drivers at no extra cost, You can also change your vehicle and still be covered under the same policy at no extra cost. Instant cover of up to $1,000,000 for any vehicle or property damage. In New Zealand, any injury to people is automatically covered by A.C.C., a government insurance scheme.

The fee for insurance starts at $159 (3 months), $179 (6 months), $219 (9 months) and $239 (12 months).

We can also arrange A.A. roadside service for you at less than the normal price. Breakdown assistance is available 24 hours a day anywhere in New Zealand. The fee for Roadside service is just $49 (3 months), $59 (6 months), $69 (9 months)or $79 for (12 months). For this you get three free call-outs per policy.

Registration can be put on a vehicle as long as it has a current WOF. To do this, fill out the MR2A/2B form. This can be done at any post office or postal shop.

http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/vehicle-ownership/registration.html

Find a vehicle that suits your needs and budget, look over the vehicle, sit in it, test drive it, negotiate the price with the seller on condition that it passes the legal checks and mechanical check.

However, if the vehicle fails a mechanical check you could still negotiate a price with the seller. At least this way you are aware of the mechanical side of the vehicle and the cost involved.

All vehicles need a current Warrant of Fitness (WOF). A WOF lasts for 6 months on vehicles more than 6 years old and can be done by most garages.

Q: What does a WOF cover?
A: A WOF covers all the safety issues of the vehicle such as brakes, tyres, lights, seat belts, body structure, rust and much more.

A full list of VTNZ and VINZ testing stations, where you can get WOFs done can be seen here:
http://www.vtnz.co.nz/search and http://www.vinz.co.nz/locations.html

A full list of things that are checked for a WOF can be seen here:
http://www.vtnz.co.nz/search