Displaying Vehicles for Sales
Recently the Hāwera District Court fined Ōpunake-based Hamish Dormer-Rowe $22,500 for operating as a motor vehicle trader without registration. This breaches the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003.
An investigation found that Mr Dormer-Rowe had displayed 72 vehicles for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Records from the New Zealand Transport Agency show he also transferred ownership of 13 vehicles.
This case shows that displaying a vehicle for sale, whether in person or online, is legally considered a sale under the Act. More people are now selling vehicles online. Regulators are using online listings to find unregistered traders and make sure they follow the rules.
If you sell or advertise vehicles for sale, it’s important to understand your legal obligations and follow them.
We encourage industry professionals to report unregistered vehicle traders. This helps protect the integrity of the motor vehicle industry.
If you know someone trading vehicles without being registered, you can report them using our online complaint form.