News and notices
News and notices for motor vehicle traders.
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Trader buys back car with tampered odometer, company fined $5,000
A Tauranga-based motor vehicle trader has bought back a vehicle with tampered odometer sold by his company after the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) prosecution action.
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Recent MVDT decisions – May 2026
This article summarises two recent decisions of the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal. The cases demonstrate how the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 is applied in assessing acceptable quality, distinguishing between minor and substantial failures, and determin
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What counts as a car sale - transferring ownership of vehicles
In our last newsletter, MBIE highlighted our approach to data matching with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). As a result of this data matching, individuals and companies trading without a licence are being contacted and asked to meet their obligat
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Ensure vehicles for sale meet acceptable quality standards
As a registered motor vehicle trader, one of your key responsibilities is ensuring that vehicles sold to consumers meet the guarantees provided under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA).
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Recent MVDT decisions – March 2026
In this article we highlight 2 recent Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal (MVDT) decisions show how the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA) is applied to disputes about vehicle quality, durability, and remedies.
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MBIE’s proactive approach to compliance
The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is using a proactive, education‑led approach to identify potential unregistered motor vehicle traders and support compliance with the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003.
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MVDT annual report: key lessons for traders
In this article we look at key lessons for traders from a selection of decisions highlighted in the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal’s latest annual report.
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Understanding your obligations as a trader
Being a registered motor vehicle trader means more than selling vehicles. You must also understand and meet your legal obligations. Keeping up to date with the law that applies to your business helps you avoid non-compliance, complaints, and enforcement a
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MBIE cracks down on rogue traders to protect car buyers
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is taking proactive action to protect consumers and maintain confidence in the motor vehicle sales industry.
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Warrant of Fitness Consultation
New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA) is seeking feedback on proposed changes to Warrants of Fitness (WoFs) and Certificates of Fitness A (CoF A) for light vehicles.
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Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal decisions – October
Recent Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal (MVDT) decisions highlight the importance of meeting obligations under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
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Updated vehicle safety ratings on Rightcar
The Rightcar website now has the 2025 used vehicle safety ratings to guide buyers in choosing cars that lower crash risk and protect against serious injury or death.
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Legislative update: Motor Vehicle Sales Act (MVSA) changes
Recent changes to the Motor Vehicle Sales Act (MVSA) now require motor vehicle traders to provide their New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) customer number when applying for or renewing a Motor Vehicle Trader (MVT) registration.
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Non-compliance with the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal (MVDT)
We monitor traders who do not follow Tribunal orders, and we act under the Motor Vehicle Sales Act to keep the industry accountable.
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Banned trader fined $10,000 for selling 40 cars
Kenneth James Michael Cumming has been sentenced in the Timaru District Court after pleading guilty to 3 charges under the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003 (MVSA) for trading motor vehicles when he was banned.
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Upcoming changes to the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003
Changes to the Act start from 22 October 2025.
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Decisions from the Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal – July 2025
The Motor Vehicle Disputes Tribunal (MVDT) hears disputes between consumers and registered motor vehicle traders. Below are 2 recent decisions from July 2025 that highlight your obligations under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 (CGA).
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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.
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Strengthening regulatory oversight
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and the Registrar of Motor Vehicle Traders have an information matching agreement under section 122 of the Motor Vehicle Sales Act 2003.
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Unregistered motor trader prosecuted for selling 85 vehicles
An unregistered motor vehicle trader was prosecuted for selling 85 vehicles. They were fined $22,500.