Seller type, advertisement, contract, mileage and warranty.
Used-car evidence checklist & complaint routes across New Zealand
Prepare your records and distinguish a motor-vehicle trader dispute from a private sale. Buyers in Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington use national consumer and tribunal routes, not different regional warranty laws.
Source dates and limits are shown with the relevant material · No registration required
VISUAL USED-CAR PATH
Purchase → fault → seller response → next route.
Use this as a quick map. The detailed rules, deadlines and available remedies still depend on the selected jurisdiction and current official sources.
1What was bought?
2What went wrong?
3What did the seller do?
4What happens next?
Symptoms, diagnosis, repair history and when the problem appeared.
Repair offer, refusal, promise, inspection or changed position.
Consumer, civil or other route depends on the facts and jurisdiction.
Facts Evidence Correct local route Check current deadline / procedure
Check the jurisdiction first
Nationwide New Zealand information, with initial audience focus on Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington. Tribunal eligibility depends on the transaction and seller, not on a city label.
- Auckland
- Canterbury
- Wellington
Regions identify audiences and access needs; the consumer framework and specialist tribunal route are national.
Identify the seller, issue and outcome
For a dealer purchase, keep the Consumer Information Notice (CIN) alongside your contract. A genuine private sale has fewer consumer protections and does not belong in the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal simply because the item is a car.
If the vehicle may be unsafe, ask a qualified technician before driving it. Do not delay seeking help while trying to complete every checklist item. A complaint does not necessarily stop a legal deadline.
Gather the records you have
These are organising prompts, not a complete filing requirement. Check the receiving service’s instructions. You do not upload documents here; ticked items reset when this page is reloaded or you change market.
0 of 6 items checked
Who can help—and what to check
Use the official agency or service’s own website to confirm scope, fees and current filing instructions. An investigation, voluntary resolution and enforceable decision are different outcomes.
Consumer Protection guidance
Consumer Protection explains dealer-purchase protections, the CIN and steps for solving problems with a car dealer.
Have ready
Compare the CIN and advertisement with the vehicle and the problem. Contact the dealer with a clear account and retain its response.
Important limit
Do not apply trader protections automatically to a genuine private seller. Check business-use, auction and other special circumstances.
Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal
The Ministry of Justice sets out which trader-related vehicle claims the specialist tribunal can hear.
Have ready
Identify the legal seller, the remedy sought and supporting purchase, fault and repair evidence before checking the claim process.
Important limit
The tribunal does not hear genuine private-sale disputes. The Ministry points private-sale disputes to the Disputes Tribunal; check that tribunal’s eligibility separately.
Prepare a one-page factual summary
- Transaction: who sold the vehicle, where, when and for how much.
- Problem: what was represented, what happened and when the problem appeared.
- Evidence: number your contract, messages, reports and receipts so each fact can be checked.
- Attempts to resolve: dates, who you contacted, what you asked for and the replies.
- Requested outcome: explain the repair or other remedy you seek without claiming an entitlement you have not checked.
Keep personal identification, bank details and unredacted records out of public posts. This summary is not a legal notice, tribunal form or substitute for advice about deadlines and remedies.