Land
Transport NZ: Be aware of pitfalls when selling a car
Land Transport New Zealand is urging people not to get taken for a ride when
selling a car. Sellers
can get caught with unpaid licence fees, road user charges or other people's
fines if the change of
ownership isn't completed.
Land Transport New Zealand has the following advice:
Make sure that you and the new owner complete change of ownership forms within
seven days
of the sale. If you don't, you could be 'stung' with other people's speed camera
fines, parking tickets, licensing fees and fines for not displaying a current
warrant of fitness or licence.
Don't let your vehicle out of your sight until the new owner has produced
proof that he or she
has put the vehicle into their own name.
You and the new owner need to fill out separate sections of the vehicle's
certificate of registration to complete change of ownership.
Send the seller's section to the Transport Registry Centre; the new owner will
need to take the
buyer's section to a Land Transport New Zealand agent. These agents are the
Automobile
Association (AA), NZ Post, Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ), Vehicle
Testing New Zealand
(VTNZ) and On Road New Zealand.
If you cant find the vehicles certificate of registration, you can get a
change of ownership form
(MR 13A) from a Land Transport NZ agent. The buyer can get a buyer's change of
ownership form
(MR 1313) from these agents as well. Alternatively you can simply notify the
change on the internet,
at
www.ltsatransact.govt.nz
You dont need to pay for a change of ownership as the seller. The new owner,
however, will need
to show identification and pay a $9.20 fee. This will give them a new
certificate of registration. The
certificate is not a legal title for the car it is a record of who is
responsible for the car and who is
liable for licensing fees. Without it, the new owner may not be able to get
vehicle insurance or a parking permit.
Once you have proof the buyer has completed their part of the change of
ownership you can hand
the vehicle over.
Note: If you sell your car through a licensed vehicle dealer or trader, they
should notify change
of ownership for you. Don't assume this will happen however; it is wise to check
that they have done
so.
For more information, visit the don't get stung website:
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/vehicle-ownership/dont-get-stung.html