Tag: car buying guide

You’ve finally found the car you want on a Wellington backstreet, the paint is gleaming, and the seller says it’s a dream. But as you reach for your…

A clean Warrant of Fitness is not a guarantee that your next car isn’t a mechanical nightmare. With the 2026 WOF regulation changes allowing many…

What if the bargain Toyota Aqua you’re eyeing on a Christchurch car lot is actually hiding a five thousand dollar battery replacement bill? It’s a…

The sticker price on that used SUV isn’t the real price. It’s just the opening bid in a game where the previous owner’s “maintenance debt” is passed…

Last October, a Christchurch buyer handed over NZ$12,000 for a “perfect” SUV, only to discover a failing transmission two weeks later. It’s a story…

Last Tuesday, Sarah from Wellington discovered that her “immaculate” NZ$14,500 sedan actually had a cracked head gasket hidden by a quick engine…

A fresh Warrant of Fitness is not a guarantee that your next car is actually a safe investment. It’s a common trap for Kiwi buyers who assume a…

Last Tuesday, Sarah discovered that the “mint condition” 2019 Mazda CX-5 she found on TradeMe for NZ$22,000 actually hid NZ$4,150 in urgent…