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.

What this means

Under section 39(4) of the MVSA, the NZTA customer number is the unique identifier assigned by NZTA under the Land Transport Management Act 2003. This requirement is designed to:

  • Link trader identity across systems with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and NZTA for compliance and enforcement.
  • Streamline ownership transfers by enabling quick verification of traders.

Why this is important

Displaying the NZTA number on the public register helps consumers and enforcement agencies confirm that a trader is properly registered and authorised to conduct transactions. This supports the MVSA’s goal of protecting buyers and maintaining market integrity.